Three players from the victorious Extra Supermarket Labasa football team, champions of the FMF Inter District Championship 2024, have been selected to join the Fiji men’s football squad. The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) announced a 29-member extended squad that will prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Included in the squad are Labasa’s Golden Glove winner Simione Tamanisau, experienced striker Christopher Wasasala, and defender Sekove Naivakananumi. Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap expressed that the players earned their call-up through their outstanding performances.
Pratap emphasized the talent Labasa players possess when provided with opportunities to showcase their skills. He expressed pride in his players being selected to represent the nation and highlighted Wasasala’s ability to enhance the team’s attacking strategy and work effectively with other strikers.
He also extended gratitude to Fiji FA for recognizing the players’ improvements, which contributed to their inclusion. “My players have the capability to perform at a high level of football,” Pratap stated, encouraging other Labasa players who were not selected to dedicate themselves to earning their spots on the national team.
Pratap advised the three selected players to elevate their performance as they prepare to compete at the regional level, aiming for a memorable World Cup qualification. The national team, under coach Rob Sherman, kicked off their World Cup qualifier series with a solid 1-0 victory against the Solomon Islands in the first round.
Paul Jaduram, the former president of Labasa FA, supported the decision made by Fiji FA to give these players the opportunity to represent the national side, stating that they richly deserved their call-up due to their impressive performances in the IDC.
The complete Fiji squad includes: 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, and Christopher Wasasala.