Three players from the Extra Supermarket Labasa football men’s team, who won the FMF Inter District Championship 2024, have been called up to join the Fiji men’s national football squad.
The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) announced a 29-member extended squad as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Among those selected are Labasa’s Golden Glove winner Simione Tamanisau, veteran striker Christopher Wasasala, and defender Sekove Naivakananumi.
Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap expressed his pride in the players, stating they truly deserved the opportunity after their exceptional performances. He noted that the squad’s success reflects the potential present in Labasa football, urging the players to seize this chance.
Pratap highlighted Wasasala’s ability to enhance the team’s attacking options, emphasizing his talent in partnerships with other forwards. He also commended the Fiji FA for recognizing the players’ progress, which contributed to their selection.
Pratap encouraged other Labasa players who were not selected to continue striving for national team representation and warned the newly chosen trio to elevate their game as they prepare to compete at a higher level.
The national team, coached by Rob Sherman, began their World Cup qualifying campaign positively with a 1-0 victory against the Solomon Islands in the first round.
Former Labasa FA president, Paul Jaduram, remarked that the Fiji FA made a wise choice by allowing these players to represent the national squad, affirming that their impressive performances in the IDC warranted the selection.
The following is the list of players named in 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, and Christopher Wasasala.