Vodafone Premier League continues this weekend with what Fiji football has at its best; important clashes will certainly thrill the fans in well-known stadium around the country.
The 3rd-placed side Suva will travel to Prince Charles Park in Nadi to take on the local side. Suva comes from an apathetic 0-0 draw against Rewa last weekend, while Nadi recovered in style from a 1-0 defeat against Labasa as they demolished Ba at home with a brace of Sakaraia Naisua. Suva is expected to feature Fijian international Iosefo Verevou as the attacker is recovered from injury. Suva will also have back to their squad, both players available for the coach Maxwell Thaggard in this clash, the important Jonetani Buksh and Kelvin Naidu. The only Capital City Boys‘ player to miss this clash will be the Nigerian forward Jibola Afonja.
Nadi comes in a high after thrashing Ba in the mid-week and will count on once again with their home fans, certainly expecting to continue in this good run. The star Avinesh Suwamy is certainly one of the most important players in Nadi squad alongside the Fijian international Ame Votoniu, but their striking force might be not as strong as usual as the powerful Rusiate Matarerega is still in doubts for the clash. Sakaria Naisua that scored twice against Ba will also not be available, Afraz Ali and Vunici Tikomaimereke will also miss the clash – all of them suspended.
In the Fiji FA Academy in Ba, the Men in Black will take on the commanded players of Ronil Lal looking for revenge after suffering a defeat in the Champion vs Champion series in the start of the year against Labasa. Ba will certainly be hungry for a win as the team coached by Ronil Kumar suffered two defeats in a row for Nasinu and Nadi. The important Ilimotama Jese will be available for this clash after serving supension in the most recent match of Ba. Despite the good news, the number-one goalkeeper of the team Misiwani Nairube is still in doubts for the clash against Labasa as Saula Waqa stil has one match-ban after being sent-off against Nasinu.
The Babasiga Lions had only their second win in the league when they had beaten Nadi by 1-0 at Subrail Park thanks to a goal of the man of the moment Siotame Kubu. The fans from Labasa will expect the team can approach the bad moment of Ba and grab another much needed three points against the Men in Black away from home. Certainly, the likes of Atonio Tuivuna and Akuila Mateisuva will need to step up to help the team in one of the most important matches so far of the season.
On Sunday a double header will take place in Nausori at Ratu Cakobau Park: first, the 1st placed Rewa will take on the 2nd placed-side Lautoka. Rewa is three points clear at the moment in comparison to Lautoka – a win for the Blues might mean a lot in the chase of the leaders. The importance of players such as Zibraaz Sahib and Dave Radrigai will be crucial for the outcome of this match for Lautoka. The former OFC Champions League finalists come from a hard fought 2-1 win over Navua in the last weekend, where Radrigai was instrumental for the team coached by Ravinesh Kumar.
The men of Marika Rodu will need to improve their game if they want to beat Lautoka at home this Sunday. After a 0-0 draw against Suva in a much awaited clash last round, the Delta Tigers will expect the influence of players such as Kavaia Rawaqa and Gabriele Matanisiga can return in the next match in order to increase their lead at the top of the table in the national league. The Rewa’s fans will be happy to know two important players – Bruce Hughes and Samuela Nabenia – will be available for this clash after serving suspension against Suva. Rewa is currently seeking for their first ever national title and a win over Lautoka can give them some advantage in the next matchweeks.
The second match of the double header in Nausori will see the two bottom-ranked sides Nasinu take on Navua. The team comanded by Tagi Vonolagi comes in a high after surpassing Ba by 2-0 thanks to two goals of the newly signed midfielder Jasnit Vikash. Despite not counting on players such as the Solomon Islands international Atkin Kaua that is still unable to return to Fiji due borders restrictions on COVID-19, Nasinu will expect to continue in their run against Navua. The attackers Marlon Nonone and Nasoni Mereke might be well watched by Navua’s defense if the last-placed team in the table wants to get their first win of the season.
Despite being in the 9th spot, Nasinu is five points ahead Navua in the table – the team commanded by Sailosi Danford just collected one point so far in the season and they need to be fast to recover in the league if they want to avoid relegation back to the Vodafone Senior League in 2021. The striker Apisai Smith scored three goals in two matches played since signed for Navua; the veteran player is the best hope of goals for Navua in this clash against Nasinu. After scoring first against Lautoka, the team conceded a heartbreaking comeback at home and suffered another defeat in the season last weekend.
You can see the updated results and table of the Fijian top-tier by visiting our session of the Vodafone Premier League.
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