Solomon Islands duo David Supa and John Orobulu, alongside Vanuatu international John Alick, played important roles in Ba FC’s successful 2026 Inter-District Championship (IDC) campaign, helping the Men in Black defeat Navua 2-0 in Sunday’s grand final at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Their contributions were part of a historic season for the Fijian club, which completed a clean sweep of the country’s four major domestic competitions.
The victory carried particular significance for Orobulu and Alick, who have now won consecutive IDC titles with different districts. Both players were members of the Rewa side that defeated Ba 1-0 in the 2025 final at Govind Park, denying the Men in Black the championship in front of their own supporters. Twelve months later, they celebrated the same trophy wearing Ba’s black jersey, having helped the club reclaim the title and complete its extraordinary domestic campaign.
Ba strengthened their squad considerably during the mid-season transfer window in June, recruiting all three Pacific internationals. Orobulu and Alick arrived after representing Papua New Guinea’s Hekari in the inaugural OFC Professional League, while Supa joined following his spell with Solomon Kings in the same competition. Their arrival gave coach Ravinesh Kumar experienced options in attack, midfield and defence, with the trio subsequently contributing to Ba’s Fiji FACT, Premier League, Battle of the Giants and IDC successes.
For Supa, the IDC grand final provided perhaps the most memorable moment of his first season in Fijian football. With the match against Navua still goalless in the closing stages, the Solomon Islands central defender scored the crucial opening goal in the 80th minute. Patrick Joseph delivered a free kick into the penalty area, where Navua goalkeeper Tevita Ravia failed to hold the ball. Supa reacted immediately to the rebound, tapping it into the net from close range to give Ba the advantage. Etonia Dogalau subsequently converted a penalty in the 87th minute to secure the 2-0 victory.
The goal added another achievement to Supa’s impressive first campaign outside the Solomon Islands domestic league. The defender had already contributed to Ba’s league triumph and played an important role in their other tournament successes. During the IDC semi-final against Labasa, he also converted one of Ba’s penalties in the shootout that secured their place in the final. Speaking to Oceania Football Center earlier in the season, Supa expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity to experience Fijian football.
“I am very happy to be with Ba. This is my first time playing in Fiji and then winning the Premier League in Fiji,” he said at the time. The defender has now added three more domestic titles to that achievement, completing a remarkable few months since his arrival from Solomon Kings.
Orobulu’s contribution was equally important, particularly during the earlier stages of the competition. The Solomon Islands striker finished the 2026 IDC with four goals, including a brace in Ba’s 3-0 victory over Nadi during the group stage. His first goal in that match arrived just 26 seconds after kick-off, while his second helped establish a comfortable advantage before halftime. He was also responsible for Ba’s opening goal against Labasa in the semi-finals, which eventually finished 1-1 before the Men in Black prevailed 5-3 on penalties.
The striker has established himself as one of the most productive Solomon Islands footballers in Fiji over the past two seasons. In 2025, he scored seven goals for Rewa during their successful IDC campaign, winning the tournament’s Golden Boot. He also claimed the Fiji Premier League Golden Boot that year after scoring 19 goals, before moving to Hekari and subsequently joining Ba during the 2026 season.
Despite arriving midway through the campaign, Orobulu scored seven league goals for Ba, including a hat-trick in the 6-0 victory over Tailevu Naitasiri that confirmed the national championship. His goals were also important during the Fiji FACT and Battle of the Giants campaigns, helping the Men in Black maintain their remarkable pursuit of domestic silverware.
Alick’s contribution was different but no less valuable to the team’s success. The experienced Vanuatu midfielder did not score during the 2026 IDC, but his performances earned considerable praise, with his experience and work in midfield helping provide stability to Ba’s team. A regular presence throughout the tournament, Alick offered an important contribution beyond the goals and individual awards that often attract the most attention.
The 35-year-old had already demonstrated his quality earlier in the season, scoring a spectacular long-range goal against Nadroga during his first Fiji FACT appearance for Ba. His experience at club and international level proved valuable as the Men in Black navigated a demanding schedule across several competitions. Like Orobulu, he now possesses IDC winners’ medals from consecutive seasons with two different Fijian districts.
The connection between the two players extends beyond their successful campaigns with Rewa and Ba. Both were part of the Rewa team that lifted the IDC trophy in October 2025, subsequently moved to Hekari for Oceania’s first professional club league and then returned to Fiji together in June. Their latest championship represents the continuation of a successful partnership across three clubs and two different football environments within the Pacific.
The influence of players from other Pacific nations was not limited to Ba during this year’s IDC. On the opposite side of Sunday’s final, Vanuatu international Walter Leoru was among Navua’s standout performers. The forward scored a hat-trick in their opening 3-0 victory over Nadi, helping the Southerners begin a campaign that eventually carried them to the grand final. Although Navua were unable to overcome Ba, Leoru’s performances provided another example of the important role played by Melanesian footballers in Fiji’s domestic competitions.
For Ba, however, the combination of Supa, Orobulu and Alick offered a particularly important balance of experience and quality. The three players arrived from different backgrounds but became part of the same successful project, contributing to a season in which Ba won the Premier League, Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and IDC, repeating a four-title achievement last accomplished by the club in 2006.
Their success also illustrates the opportunities available to Pacific Island footballers beyond their domestic competitions. With the establishment of the OFC Professional League and continued movement between clubs in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, experienced players are increasingly building careers across different football environments in the region.
For Supa, the IDC final will be remembered for the goal that broke Navua’s resistance. For Orobulu, it represents another successful tournament after two prolific seasons in Fiji. For Alick, it is recognition of his contribution and experience in a championship-winning midfield.
Together, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu internationals have added their names to another important chapter in Ba’s history, while Orobulu and Alick have achieved the distinction of winning back-to-back IDC championships, first by defeating the Men in Black and then by helping them reclaim the trophy.
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