Is Labasa missing Dennis Ifunaoa?

Labasa is definitively not performing as they had done in the past season – when they clinched Battle of Giants and Inter-District Championship titles. This year, Labasa is underperforming in Vodafone Premier League and is already knocked-out of BOG as they could not win any of its matches in the group stage of the traditional tournament.

Some Labasa fans are asking questions: what is missing for the Babasiga Lions? The question might be simple and direct: Dennis Ifunaoa. The Solomon Islands star departed from Labasa in the beginning of the season to join Solomon Islands’ giants Solomon Warriors where he helped the team to qualify for OFC Champions League knock-out stage.

This season, without Ifunaoa, Labasa is depending a lot on Siotame Kubu in attack, while his possible replacement Ratu Anare started well the season with a brace to win Champion vs Champion series against Ba, but since then the player is still to score.

Ifunaoa was one of the biggest responsibles of the Inter-District Championship title in 2019, scoring a very beautiful goal in the final match. The Solomon Islander stated that he was approached recently by Labasa’s management to return to the club, but the COVID-19 situation is still a barrier and he is likely to stay in his country in order to compete in OFC Champions League quarter-finals.

Certain Labasa supporters are already mentioning how important the Solomon Islander was for the team and wishing his return to the Lions. If it happens, sooner of later, would be certainly a major boost for the team coached by Ronil Lal.