Three players from the victorious Extra Supermarket Labasa football team, champions of the FMF Inter District Championship 2024, have been selected for the Fiji men’s national football squad. The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) announced the 29-member extended squad as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Included in the squad are Labasa’s Golden Glove recipient Simione Tamanisau, experienced striker Christopher Wasasala, and defender Sekove Naivakananumi. Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap praised the players for their excellent performances, which earned them this opportunity.
Pratap expressed pride in his players representing the national team, emphasizing Wasasala’s ability to enhance the attack and build effective partnerships with his fellow forwards. He acknowledged Fiji FA for recognizing the improvement of his players leading to their selection.
“My players have the capability to perform at a high level of football,” he stated, encouraging other Labasa players who were not selected to strive for a place on the national team. He also urged the three call-ups to elevate their performance as they prepare to compete at the regional level.
Pratap highlighted the team’s ambition for World Cup qualification, noting that their journey began positively with a 1-0 victory over the Solomon Islands in the first round of qualifiers. Former Labasa FA president, Paul Jaduram, supported the decision of Fiji FA to include these talented players in the national squad, citing their outstanding performances during the IDC.
The following players are part of the Fiji squad: Joela Biuvanua, Simione Tamanisau, Jerome Narayan, Akuila Mateisuva, Filipe Baravilala, Sekove Naivakananumi, Samuela Kautoga, Scott Wara, Sterling Vasconcellos, Atonio Tuivuna, Gabirieli Matanisiga, Josh Laqeretabua, Ivan Kumar, Kavaia Rawaqa, Setareki Hughes, Merill Nand, Rahul Krishna, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Mohammed Raheem, Tevita Warainivalu, Dave Radrigai, Leroy Jennings, Aporosa Yada, Nabil Begg, Thomas Dunn, Roy Krishna, Sairusi Nalaubu, Etonia Dogalau, Christopher Wasasala.
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