Manasa Nawakula, a seasoned player, netted a goal in the 104th minute, leading Tavua to a narrow 1-0 victory over a youthful Nasinu team in the Premier Division final of the 2024 FMF Inter District Championship (IDC) held at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The match was closely contested, with both teams unable to score during the regular ninety minutes despite having multiple opportunities. Nawakula, a former defender for the national team, Ba, and Lautoka, rose to the challenge during the first half of extra time, skillfully placing the ball past goalkeeper Emori Ragata.
Nasinu, featuring promising young talents like Maikah Dau and Raul Chandra, along with experienced players Jone Naraba and Nasoni Mereki, fought hard for an equalizer. However, Tavua’s strong defense proved vital as they held on until the final whistle to secure the championship title.
As winners of the Premier Division, Tavua was awarded $6,000, while Nasinu received $2,000 for their efforts.