Defending champions Rewa will miss a significant portion of national league matches due to their players’ commitments to the national team. Fiji Football Association’s chief executive officer, Mohammed Yusuf, confirmed that six Rewa players will join the national squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers, which includes a key semi-final match against New Zealand on March 21.
The six players are Setareki Hughes, Patrick Joseph, Tevita Waranaivalu, Epeli Valevou, Gabirieli Matanisiga, and Ivan Kumar. Following the World Cup qualifiers, these players will proceed to Honiara in the Solomon Islands for the OFC Champions League.
Yusuf stated that due to their absence, Rewa will not participate in league games during this period and will have to play two matches a week upon their return, which has been officially rescheduled for mid-week fixtures. This arrangement allows the Rewa players to focus on their national team duties leading up to the qualifiers.
Expressing optimism regarding the match against New Zealand, Yusuf asserted, “Nothing is impossible,” referencing the inclusion of experienced overseas-based players to strengthen the squad. The team will hold a 12-day camp in New Zealand, where they will also compete in warm-up matches against local clubs like Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix, and conduct trials under the supervision of coach Rob Sherman.
In a related note, injury updates indicate that Fiji captain Roy Krishna will not participate in these crucial matches as he is recovering from surgery for an ACL injury. Yusuf highlighted the significance of Krishna’s absence while rallying fans in New Zealand to support the team.
The situation reflects both challenge and resilience in Fijian football, with the national team determined to rise in the face of adversity. The blend of local talent and overseas experience could inspire a promising performance during the World Cup qualifiers and reinforce a hopeful future for Fijian football.
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