Rewa has secured the 2024 Digicel Fiji Premier League championship following a commanding 4-1 victory over Nadi at Prince Charles Park yesterday. With 37 points heading into the match, Rewa only needed a draw to clinch the title.
Setareki Hughes, the captain of Rewa, opened the scoring just before halftime, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Madhwan Gounder, a standout winger for Rewa, extended the lead to 2-0 ten minutes into the second half by finishing off a quick counter-attack.
Nadi’s performance suffered due to poor passing, coordination, and a lack of concentration, indicating possible fitness issues within the team. Rewa took advantage of these opportunities, with Iosefo Verevou scoring from the penalty spot after a foul in the Nadi box. Delon Shankar then made it 4-0 for Rewa with a breakaway goal.
Nadi finally found the net with a brilliant free-kick from Tuiba Batiratu, but it was merely a consolation goal for the Jetsetters. After the match, Rewa coach Rodick Singh expressed pride in his team for their hard work throughout the season, acknowledging the challenges faced along the way. He noted that their consistent performance under the new format has earned them direct qualification for the OFC Champions League.
Nadi football president Mohammed Mohin Rafiq admitted that the absence of key players hindered his team’s performance, making it difficult to compete effectively. With one round of the competition remaining, Rewa’s points total stands at 40.