Roy Krishna at the helm: Fiji National Team squad is set for OFC Nations Cup challenge

Fiji’s head coach, Rob Sherman, has called up the national team for the OFC Nations Cup, with the Group B matches set to be held in Suva, Fiji. The Fijians are grouped alongside Papua New Guinea, Tahiti and Samoa. Should the Bula Boys advance, the knockout stage will take place in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The squad includes a mix of home-based talents and overseas players, spearheaded by the team captain and legendary striker, Roy Krishna, who is the all-time top scorer for Fiji and currently plays for Odisha in India.

Among the notable overseas-based players are defender Scott Wara from Stalybridge Celtic, a club in England’s eighth tier (Step 4), and several players plying their trade in New Zealand. These include former Rewa defender Gabriele Matanisiga, now with Wellington Olympic, ex-Ba attacker Nabil Begg who is part of Auckland City, and defender Brendan McCullen from Stop Out. Additionally, young goalkeeper Ayidin Mustahib, who plays for Manurewa, is another standout New Zealand-based player.

From the domestic league, the squad boasts some of Fiji’s finest talents. Sairusi Nalaubu, the top scorer of the Fiji top tier for the last four seasons, is a significant inclusion. Midfielders Setareki Hughes and Tevita Waranaivalu, both key players for Rewa, are also part of the team. In defense, Lautoka’s Antonio Tuivuna and his teammate Sterling Vasconcellos are expected to bolster the backline.

CHECK FIJI’S FULL SQUAD FOR 2024 OFC NATIONS CUP 🇫🇯

Sherman’s selection demonstrates a strategic blend of experienced international players and promising local talents, aiming to harness both skill sets to make a strong impact in the OFC Nations Cup. With the inclusion of these key players, the Bula Boys are geared up to compete fiercely on their home turf in Suva, and hopefully, secure their place in the knockout stages in Vanuatu