Ba complete domestic treble with 18th BOG crown after defeating Rewa at packed Govind Park

Ba FC have completed a remarkable domestic treble in Fiji after defeating Rewa FC 2-1 in the final of the 2026 Battle of the Giants, lifting the trophy on home soil at 4R Stadium, Govind Park.

The Men in Black entered the competition having already secured the Extra Premier League and BiC Fiji FACT titles and finished the BOG by adding a third major trophy to an increasingly dominant 2026 campaign.

It was also a significant piece of history for Fiji’s most decorated BOG club. Ba had not lifted the trophy since defeating Suva in the 2018 final, meaning the victory ended an eight-year wait and delivered a record-extending 18th Battle of the Giants title. The club had also not won the competition at Govind Park since 2013.

A crowd of 9,769 watched the final in Ba as former captain Praneel Naidu and Penisoni Tirau scored the goals that gave the hosts the title. Rewa remained in the contest through Merrill Nand, who found the net during the second half, but the Delta Tigers were unable to complete the comeback and finished the match with ten players.

Naidu’s contribution was particularly important. The experienced midfielder not only scored in the final but was named Player of the Match, adding another memorable chapter to his long association with Ba.

The triumph was made even more impressive by the circumstances surrounding Ba’s route through the tournament.

Ba opened their BOG campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Nadi, with John Orobulu scoring the decisive goal. Their position changed dramatically one day later when Rewa produced one of the most emphatic performances of the group stage and defeated the hosts 3-0.

That result left Ba under significant pressure heading into their final Group B match against Lautoka. A draw would have eliminated the Men in Black, while victory was required to keep their title challenge alive.

Ba responded with perhaps their most important performance of the group stage.

Etonia Dogalau headed the hosts in front after only five minutes against Lautoka before Rusiate Doidoi doubled the advantage. Nabil Begg then converted from the penalty spot as Ba established a commanding three-goal advantage before half-time.

Lautoka eventually reduced the deficit through Luciano Castro, but Ba’s 3-1 victory secured second place in Group B behind Rewa and sent the hosts into the semi-finals.

The knockout stage brought another difficult challenge against Suva, who had topped Group A after an impressive campaign that included a 3-0 victory over defending champions Labasa.

Once again, Ba delivered.

Dogalau opened the scoring before Begg doubled the advantage during the second half. Suva responded through a Malakai Lavecake penalty and received another opportunity to change the match when Begg was sent off.

Reduced to ten players, Ba were forced to defend their lead during the closing stages. Goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia played an important role as Suva pushed for an equaliser, but the Men in Black survived the pressure and secured a 2-1 victory.

The red card also meant Begg, one of Ba’s most influential players during the competition, was suspended for the final.

Rewa reached the decider through an equally dramatic semi-final.

Nasinu twice took the lead against the Delta Tigers, first through Raneet Maharaj and later through Solomon Islands forward Paul Francis. Josaia Sela produced Rewa’s first equaliser before substitute Epeli Valevou changed the contest, scoring twice during the closing stages to complete a 3-2 comeback and send Rewa into the final.

That created an intriguing rematch.

Only eight days earlier, Rewa had overwhelmed Ba 3-0 at the same venue. This time, however, the stakes were completely different — and so was the outcome.

Ba took control of the decisive match through goals from Naidu and Tirau. Rewa refused to disappear and Nand’s second-half goal ensured the final remained competitive, but the hosts protected their advantage until the final whistle.

The victory triggered celebrations around Govind Park as Ba lifted the BOG trophy in front of their own supporters and collected FJ$17,000 in prize money.

It also completed an extraordinary turnaround for a club that had endured several years without dominating Fiji football in the manner traditionally associated with the Men in Black.

Ba ended a seven-year wait for the national league championship earlier this season before capturing the Fiji FACT for the first time in 16 years, defeating Navua on penalties in the final. The BOG has now followed, giving the club three major titles in the same campaign.

There was also something fitting about the identity of their final opponent.

Rewa had inflicted Ba’s heaviest defeat of the tournament and looked capable of derailing the hosts’ campaign during the group stage. Instead, Ba recovered, survived a must-win encounter against Lautoka, played part of their semi-final with ten men and finally defeated the same Rewa side when the trophy was on the line.

For the Men in Black, the 2026 Battle of the Giants therefore became much more than another entry in their already unmatched record in the competition.

Eight years after their previous BOG triumph, Ba are the giants of Fiji once again — and their 18th crown completes a season in which the Men in Black have so far taken every major domestic trophy placed in front of them.

The next major challenge will be the Inter-District Championship, where Ba will have the opportunity to push an already remarkable 2026 season even further.