“It’s hard to remain a champion”: Etonia Dogalau on Ba’s treble, Fiji omission and what comes next

Ba have returned to the top of Fijian football in emphatic fashion in 2026, and Etonia Dogalau has been one of the players directly involved in a season that has restored the Men in Black’s status as the country’s dominant domestic force.

With the Fiji FACT, Extra Premier League and Battle of the Giants already secured, Ba have completed a domestic treble and still have the Inter-District Championship ahead. The achievement is particularly significant considering the droughts broken along the way: Ba ended a seven-year wait for the national league title and lifted the BOG for the first time since 2018.

Dogalau played an important role in the most recent of those successes. After missing Ba’s opening BOG matches, he returned for the decisive group-stage encounter against Lautoka and opened the scoring in a 3-1 victory that kept the Men in Black alive. He struck again in the semifinal against Suva, helping Ba win 2-1 before Ravinesh Kumar’s side defeated Rewa in the final at Govind Park.

Speaking exclusively to Oceania Football Center, however, Dogalau placed much of the credit for Ba’s remarkable season away from the players themselves. For him, the support surrounding the squad has been fundamental.

“The recipe for our success is the never-ending support of our families, their sacrifice and their love. We are seen by everyone, but our families are behind the curtains, not only supporting us, but Ba as well,” Dogalau said.

He also highlighted the contribution of Ba president Praneel Dayal, whose support he believes remains firmly in the players’ minds when they represent the club.

“When we play, we always remember our president, Mr Praneel Dayal, who has done so much for this team.”

Ba’s season is not finished. The IDC offers the Men in Black the opportunity to add another trophy to an already exceptional campaign, although Dogalau is under no illusion about how difficult maintaining their success will be.

“That’s the plan, but in order to accomplish it we have to work hard for it because every team will be coming stronger in the IDC,” he explained. “Our coach always tells us that it’s easy to become a champion, but it’s hard to remain a champion.”

That message also applies to Dogalau personally. Despite his contribution to Ba’s success and calls from supporters for his inclusion, the attacker was not selected in Fiji’s 20-man squad for the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, which begins on home soil this week.

Rather than criticising the decision, Dogalau responded with a notably measured assessment of his situation.

“I’m not sure what to say, but maybe it means that I need to work a bit harder to earn that spot. At the end of the day, this happens in football. It’s about how we come back stronger individually as footballers.”

Asked what supporters could expect from the next stage of his career, Dogalau again returned to the same theme.

“Only time will tell. I know I need to work harder.”

The omission comes at an interesting moment in his season. Dogalau has just played an important part in Ba’s BOG triumph, including goals in two of the matches that ultimately decided their tournament, while Fiji coach Stéphane Auvray has opted for a squad combining established internationals with several younger players as part of a wider rebuilding process.

For Dogalau, therefore, the immediate answer is not to dwell on the national-team decision but to continue performing for a Ba side that still has another major target ahead.

And his final message was reserved for the supporters who have followed the Men in Black through the club’s difficult years and their return to the top.

“Just one thing: Ba fans, keep trusting us boys because we are trying our very best to deliver for the people of Ba.”

With three trophies already secured and the IDC still to come, Ba have delivered plenty in 2026. For Dogalau, the challenge now is exactly the one his coach has repeatedly placed before the squad: becoming champions was difficult, but remaining there may be harder still.