Veteran forward Christopher Wasasala once again proved pivotal for the Labasa football team, leading them to a 5-3 victory in a penalty shootout against Navua during the FMF Inter District Championship final at Churchill Park in Lautoka last night.
In an interview with SUNsports, Wasasala expressed his determination when stepping up for the crucial penalty, aiming to silence his critics after previously missing a penalty in the semifinals. “I was confident that it would go in because I wanted to redeem myself,” he stated. Wasasala also shared that he assured his teammates he would take the fifth penalty kick to secure the win, dedicating the triumph to Labasa’s supporters.
Labasa’s other goals were netted by Anish Khem, Sekove Naivakananumi, Rusiate Doidoi, and Lekima Gonerau. Navua’s goals came from Ali Mekawir, Filipe Baravilala, and Jared Rongosulia, although Vineet Chand missed his penalty attempt.
An emotional Labasa coach, Ravneel Pratap, highlighted the pride of their district as a significant motivating factor in their victory. He noted the support from fans, sponsors, and officials during a challenging season, giving special mention to Extra Supermarket for their unwavering assistance.
Pratap reflected on the team’s remarkable turnaround after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Navua in the group stage, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to redeem themselves in the final. He acknowledged Navua’s strength as a team, describing them as formidable opponents.
Labasa, also known as the Babasiga Lions, was led by 42-year-old goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau. They will return home today with a prize fund of $25,000, while Navua will receive $6,000. The match also saw Labasa midfielder Akeimi Ralulu and Navua’s Saimoni Damuni receive red cards in the second half, resulting in both teams finishing the match with ten players.