Ba FC have completed one of the most remarkable seasons in Fijian football history after defeating Navua 2-0 in the grand final of the 2026 FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC) on Sunday, October 11, at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Late goals from Solomon Islands defender David Supa and midfielder Etonia Dogalau secured the Men in Black their 26th IDC title and, more importantly, completed a clean sweep of Fiji’s four major domestic competitions: the Extra Premier League, Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and Inter-District Championship.
The achievement marks the first time a Fijian club has captured all four major domestic titles in the same season since Ba themselves accomplished the feat in 2006. Twenty years later, Ravinesh Kumar’s side have repeated that success under considerably different competitive conditions, becoming the first team to complete the quadruple since Fiji’s major tournaments adopted the full 90-minute format in 2013.
The final brought together two familiar opponents who had already faced each other twice in significant encounters during the season. Ba defeated Navua on penalties in June’s Fiji FACT final before the teams shared a dramatic 2-2 draw during the IDC group stage earlier this week. On that occasion, Ba surrendered a two-goal advantage, with Navua captain Peniame Drova scoring a late equaliser. Sunday’s decisive encounter consequently offered Navua another opportunity to challenge the dominant force in Fijian domestic football.
The match began with Ba attempting to establish themselves in attack, but Navua demonstrated the defensive organisation that had carried them past defending champions Rewa in the semi-finals. Captain Peniame Drova and Vinal Prasad played important roles in containing Ba’s attacking movements, while goalkeeper Tevita Ravia provided additional security whenever the Men in Black threatened.
Navua also attempted to create opportunities of their own, although neither side managed to establish a decisive advantage during the opening half. The Southerners suffered an early setback when Kolinio Sivoki was forced off through injury around the half-hour mark, prompting the introduction of Simione Damuni. Despite the disruption, Rodicks Singh’s team maintained their defensive resistance and reached halftime with the score still 0-0.
The second period followed a similarly competitive pattern. Ba continued searching for an opening, while Navua relied on their defensive discipline and Ravia’s interventions to remain in contention. Having played 120 minutes against Rewa just one day earlier, Navua faced another demanding contest against opponents who had also required extra time and a penalty shootout to overcome Labasa in the previous round.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 80th minute following a costly mistake by Ravia. Patrick Joseph delivered a free kick into the penalty area, where the Navua goalkeeper failed to gather what appeared to be a relatively straightforward ball. The handling error left the ball loose inside the six-yard box, and Solomon Islands central defender David Supa, positioned close to the goal, reacted quickly to tap the rebound into the net.
It was a particularly important contribution from Supa, who had joined Ba for the 2026 season and established himself as part of the team’s defensive unit. With Navua having successfully resisted Ba’s attacking pressure for most of the encounter, the defender’s presence in the opposition penalty area proved decisive. His goal finally broke the deadlock and forced Navua to abandon their cautious approach in search of an equaliser.
However, Navua’s hopes of forcing the contest into extra time suffered another blow seven minutes later. Nabil Begg broke through the defence following an attack down the left flank before being brought down inside the penalty area. Referee Torika Delai awarded a penalty, giving Ba the opportunity to put the championship beyond Navua’s reach.
Etonia Dogalau stepped forward and converted from the spot in the 87th minute, extending the advantage to 2-0. The goal provided a fitting conclusion to an outstanding individual tournament for the midfielder, who was subsequently recognised with the Golden Ball award. Dogalau had already scored three times during the group stage, including a brace against Lautoka, and his latest contribution brought his tournament tally to four.
The closing stages were also marked by controversy when a confrontation developed between players following Ba’s second goal. Police personnel intervened to restore order, with disciplinary action following the incident. Navua substitute Simione Damuni was sent off, while the confrontation added further tension to the final minutes. Nevertheless, Ba maintained their advantage until the final whistle to confirm their place as the 2026 IDC champions.
The victory completed an unbeaten IDC campaign for Ba, who began the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Lautoka before drawing 2-2 with Navua. A convincing 3-0 win against Nadi secured first place in Group B with seven points, setting up a semi-final against Labasa. That encounter proved considerably more difficult, with Solomon Islands international John Orobulu putting Ba ahead before Christopher Wasasala equalised for the Babasiga Lions. After 120 minutes, goalkeeper Misiwani Nairube helped Ba prevail in the penalty shootout and reach the final.
Orobulu was another important figure in Ba’s successful tournament. The Solomon Islands striker scored four goals during the competition, including a brace against Nadi and the opening goal against Labasa in the semi-finals. Having won the IDC with Rewa in 2025, he has now collected the same trophy with Ba, continuing an impressive period in Fijian football. His compatriot David Supa and Vanuatu international John Alick were also part of the starting side in Sunday’s final, highlighting the contribution of Pacific Island footballers to Ba’s championship-winning squad.
For Navua, the defeat brought an unfortunate conclusion to an otherwise impressive tournament. Singh’s players opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Nadi, recovered from two goals down against Ba and secured qualification with a goalless draw against Lautoka. Their greatest achievement came in the semi-finals, when they eliminated defending champions Rewa 4-1 on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes.
Substitute goalkeeper Jovilisi Borisi emerged as the hero of that encounter after Singh introduced him specifically for the penalty shootout. Borisi saved attempts from Scott Wara and Semi Nabenu, allowing Navua to advance to the championship decider despite the absence of several important players.
Reaching the IDC final represented a significant accomplishment for a Navua side that finished fifth in the Premier League and had already experienced disappointment against Ba in the Fiji FACT final. The Southerners had also endured a difficult Battle of the Giants campaign, failing to progress beyond the group stage. Their ability to eliminate Rewa and reach another major final consequently demonstrated the team’s resilience, although they ultimately finished the season without a major domestic trophy.
Beyond the IDC, Ba’s 2026 season has been defined by their return to the summit of Fijian football. They won the Extra Premier League with 42 points from 18 matches, scoring 54 goals and conceding only 14 to end a seven-year wait for the national league championship. The achievement delivered their record 22nd league title and secured qualification for the next OFC Champions League.
In June, Ba defeated Navua 3-1 on penalties after a goalless Fiji FACT final at Subrail Park in Labasa, ending a 16-year wait for that particular trophy. It was a significant moment for the club, which had last won the competition in 2010, also against Navua.
Their third major title arrived in September, when Ba overcame Rewa 2-1 in the Battle of the Giants final at Govind Park, with Praneel Naidu and Penisoni Tirau scoring the decisive goals. That victory delivered the club’s record-extending 18th BOG championship and established an opportunity to complete the domestic clean sweep at the IDC.
Sunday’s triumph was particularly meaningful for Ba Football Association president Praneel Dayal, whose first year in charge has coincided with the club’s return to domestic dominance. Together with head coach Ravinesh Kumar, the administration has overseen a season in which Ba recovered from several years without the league and Fiji FACT titles to win every major domestic competition available.
The club’s achievements had already received international recognition before the IDC, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino congratulating Ba on their historic domestic treble in September. The subsequent IDC victory has now elevated that accomplishment even further, establishing Ba as the first team to win all four major Fijian domestic competitions in a single season under the modern 90-minute format.
The IDC championship also brought financial rewards, with Ba receiving FJ$25,000 as tournament winners and Navua collecting FJ$6,000 as runners-up.
Twenty years after their celebrated four-title campaign of 2006, the Men in Black have accomplished the feat once again. Their latest achievement carries additional historical importance because it has been completed in Fiji’s modern football era, reinforcing Ba’s position among the country’s most successful football institutions.
Having fallen short against Rewa in the 2025 IDC final, Ba returned one year later to reclaim the trophy and complete the set. Four major competitions, four titles and another chapter in the history of Fiji’s most decorated football district.
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