Rewa has secured the 2024 Digicel Fiji Premier League title by defeating Nadi 4-1 at Prince Charles Park yesterday. The Delta Tigers approached the match with 37 points and only needed a draw to clinch the title.
Captained by Setareki Hughes, Rewa took the lead just before halftime, closing out the first half at 1-0. Madhwan Gounder, a notable winger for Rewa, boosted their advantage to 2-0 shortly after the break by finishing a counter-attack ten minutes into the second half.
Nadi struggled defensively, displaying poor passing and coordination, which indicated potential fitness issues within their squad. Rewa capitalized on these mistakes, and soon after, striker Iosefo Verevou converted a penalty following a foul in the Nadi box. Delon Shankar, who was brought on as a substitute, put the match beyond doubt with Rewa’s fourth goal during a fast break, giving them a commanding 4-0 lead.
Nadi provided a moment of relief for their supporters when Tuiba Batiratu scored a stunning free kick, but it merely served as a consolation.
After the match, Rewa coach Rodick Singh expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, acknowledging the hard work throughout the season. He noted, “We knew from the beginning of the year that the league is a fight… to go back to the OFC Champions League, it was a fight.” Despite the season’s challenges, Singh highlighted their consistency and the significance of qualifying directly for the OFC Champions League due to the new format.
Nadi football president Mohammed Mohin Rafiq commented on the match, citing the absence of key players in their squad, which made it difficult to compete effectively. With one round of competition left, Rewa currently holds 40 points.