Vodafone Premier League kicks off today

The wait is over and the Vodafone Premier League is back! The 2020 edition of the top-tier of Fijian football kicks off today.

Current CVC champions Labasa will receive Suva at Subrail Park tomorrow in the Vodafone Premier League’s opening match. The Labasa’s stadium is currently facing some problems and it is going to affect the team’s debut as three pavilions in the stadium will be unavailable for fans coming to watch the match so it means that only about 1000 fans will be able to watch the clash from the embankment according to Labasa team manager Nilesh Lal.

Labasa managed to hold some key players like Siotame Kubu and Antonio Tuivuna that attracted the interest of Suva FC and Ba respectively. They also brought Ratu Anare that scored two goals in the 2020 CVC against Ba. Solomon Islands international Dennis Ifunaoa left the team to come back to his homeland to play for Solomon Warriors.

Suva added some international power to their squad by bringing two Nigerian players: the defender Michael Oyesanya and the striker Jibola Afonja that played the 2019 season for Samoan side Kiwi. However they lost Solomon Islands international Gagame Feni and Ni-Vanuatu midfielder Jacky Ruben while defender Michael Boso will remain with the team for one more season. The Capital City Boys also had some staff changes as head coach Kamal Swamy joined Nadi. Babs Khan will coach the team this year and he is going to have his first official challenge this weekend against a very strong Labasa side.

Recently promoted Navua brought some players to strengthen their squad for 2020 season including former Lami’s striker Taniela Rakariva that was Vodafone Senior League Golden Boot winner in 2018 and 2019. They are going to debut on Sunday against Nadi at Uprising Resort Ground. Nadi did not make many moves in the transfer window but it seems that Ba’s Avinesh Suwamy applied for release from Ba to join Nadi. Suwamy’s arrival would be a huge addition for Nadi. Marvelous forward Rusiate Matarerega will lead Nadi’s attack for one more year and he is one of the contenders to win the 2020 Vodafone Premier League Golden Boot.

Lautoka will face Nasinu at Churchill Park with a very different team in comparison with the 2019 season. Goalkeeper Beniaminio Mateinaqara and forwards Benjamin Totori and Samuela Drudru left the team to join Ba while Dave Radrigai was also linked to the Men in Black. It is also being reported that Ni-Vanuatu Alex Saniel will join the team on a short-term loan to play 2020 OFC Champions League. The Bluez will count on a new head coach as Anand Sami was appointed to lead the team this year.

Nasinu lost some important players in this transfer window and it was an overriding factor to change team’s mindset. According to Nasinu’s president Oneal Chand, they are going to count on many local players. It was also reported that the Giant Killers have applied the ITC for Solomon Islands U20 midfielder Jared Bently.

Current league champions Ba will visit Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park on Sunday. The Men in Black recently lost 2020 CVC to Labasa and they are hungry to win their first official game of the season to have a good start in the league. Ba brought some important players like Mateinaqara, Totori and Drudru. Vanuatu international Jason Thomas also joined the team for 2020 while foreign players Darold Kakasi and Micah Tommy are back to the team for one more year.

Rewa will start the season with some problems as they do not have a head coach. They brought the experienced goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau and his arrival must be a huge improvement for a team that suffred 25 goals in 14 matches last season. It was also reported that Rewa could sign with a Brazilian forward but it seems that it is not going to happen. Anyway the Delta Tigers will have a very difficult challenge against Ba.

Oceania Football Center wish good luck to all teams in the upcoming league season!