Ilisoni Logaivau’s decision to leave Labasa for Ba at the beginning of 2026 has culminated in one of the most remarkable seasons of his football career. The experienced midfielder was named the Extra Premier League Golden Ball winner on Friday, October 9, recognising his contribution to Ba’s return to the top of Fijian league football. Just two days later, he captained the Men in Black to their fourth major domestic trophy of the year, completing a historic clean sweep with a 2-0 victory over Navua in the FMF Inter-District Championship final.
The individual recognition arrived during the Fiji Football Association’s Extra League Awards Night, held at the Fiji FA Academy in Suva. Ba were officially presented with their 22nd national league championship trophy, while Logaivau received the competition’s highest individual honour after establishing himself as an important figure in the team’s successful campaign.
For the midfielder, the achievement represented the culmination of a major career decision made only nine months earlier.
Logaivau had spent several seasons representing Labasa, one of Ba’s traditional rivals, before applying to join the Men in Black during the January transfer window. His move formed part of a significant recruitment effort as Ba sought to end several years without winning the national league championship.
The decision proved successful almost immediately.
Under head coach Ravinesh Kumar, Ba developed into the most consistent side in Fiji’s top flight, finishing the Extra Premier League campaign with 42 points from 18 matches, four ahead of runners-up Labasa.
The Men in Black recorded 13 victories, three draws and only two defeats, scoring 54 goals and conceding just 14. Their commanding performances eventually secured the club’s first league championship since 2019, ending a seven-year wait for the title.
Logaivau provided experience and leadership in midfield, helping Ba maintain consistency throughout a campaign that featured several established internationals, emerging domestic players and new arrivals from other Pacific Island nations.
His appointment as captain also placed him at the centre of the club’s rebuilding process. Rather than simply joining a squad expected to compete for trophies, the former Labasa midfielder became one of the figures responsible for guiding Ba through a season of renewed expectations.
The Golden Ball award recognised his role in that transformation, but the celebrations were far from over.
When the individual honours were presented, Ba had already captured three of Fiji’s four major domestic titles.
Their first major tournament success arrived in June, when they defeated Navua 3-1 on penalties following a goalless Fiji FACT final at Subrail Park in Labasa. The victory ended a 16-year wait for the trophy, which Ba had last won in 2010.
In August, the club secured the Extra Premier League championship, and September brought another achievement when Ba defeated Rewa 2-1 in the Battle of the Giants final at Govind Park.
That result completed a domestic treble and established Ba as the first team to win those three competitions in a single season under the modern 90-minute tournament format.
However, the IDC presented an opportunity to accomplish something even greater.
The road to the championship was particularly meaningful for Logaivau because Ba had to eliminate his former club Labasa in the semi-finals.
On Saturday, October 10, the two teams produced a fiercely contested encounter at HFC Bank Stadium. Solomon Islands international John Orobulu opened the scoring for Ba in the 25th minute, but experienced Labasa captain Christopher Wasasala equalised in the 59th.
Neither side could find another goal during regulation time or extra time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
Ba recovered from missing their first attempt, with goalkeeper Misiwani Nairube denying Lekima Gonerau before Nabil Begg converted the decisive penalty to secure a place in the final.
For Logaivau, the result meant overcoming the district he had represented before joining Ba, while keeping alive the possibility of completing a perfect domestic season.
The following afternoon, the Men in Black faced Navua in a repeat of June’s Fiji FACT final.
Once again, Navua proved difficult opponents. The match remained goalless for much of the contest before Ba finally broke the deadlock in the 80th minute with David Supa. Etonia Dogalau subsequently converted a penalty in the 87th minute to seal a 2-0 victory.
The triumph delivered Ba’s 26th IDC championship and completed a clean sweep of the Extra Premier League, Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and Inter-District Championship.
It was the first time any Fijian club had accomplished the four-title sweep since Ba themselves achieved the feat in 2006, twenty years earlier. The 2026 achievement also made the Men in Black the first side to complete the quadruple since the country’s major tournaments adopted the full 90-minute format.
For Logaivau, the final represented the ultimate confirmation of his decision to join the club.
Speaking to The Fiji Times after lifting the trophy, the captain revealed that he had repeatedly encouraged his teammates to believe that 2026 would belong to Ba.
“I always told the boys that this year is our year,” he said.
Logaivau also credited the dedication of his teammates and expressed gratitude to his family, particularly his wife and daughter, for supporting him throughout the season.
His words reflected the significance of an achievement that extended well beyond individual recognition. In his first campaign with the Men in Black, he had helped lead the club to every major domestic trophy available.
The Fiji FA awards ceremony also recognised several other outstanding performers from the 2026 Extra Premier League.
Suva striker Siotame Kubu claimed the Golden Boot after scoring 15 goals, finishing as the league’s leading goalscorer despite his district’s relatively modest campaign.
Labasa goalkeeper Jitoko Vulava received the Golden Glove award, while Nadroga were recognised with the Fair Play Team Award.
Labasa finished second in the championship standings, followed by Rewa in third and Lautoka in fourth.
Elsewhere, Seaqaqa were crowned overall Extra Senior League champions after also winning the Vanua Levu Zone title. Tavua claimed the Viti Levu Zone championship, while futsal honours were awarded to Suva, Ba and Labasa across their respective regional competitions.
The awards illustrated the range of achievements across Fijian domestic football, but Ba’s extraordinary season ensured that the Men in Black occupied a central place in the celebrations.
There was also another individual success for the club during the IDC itself, with midfielder Etonia Dogalau receiving the tournament’s Golden Ball after contributing to the championship-winning campaign.
For Logaivau, however, the Extra Premier League award carries particular significance because it recognises performances across an entire league season rather than a short knockout tournament.
His influence has been measured not only through individual displays but also through his leadership during a campaign in which Ba consistently overcame difficult opponents and delivered results in decisive matches.
The club’s resurgence has also been significant for head coach Ravinesh Kumar and president Praneel Dayal, whose first year in charge of the association has coincided with one of the most successful seasons in Ba’s history.
After several years of frustration, the Men in Black have restored their domestic dominance, winning four major titles and reaffirming their position among Fiji’s most decorated football institutions.
For Logaivau, the journey has been especially striking.
He began 2026 as a new arrival from Labasa, joining a club determined to return to winning ways. He ends the season as the Extra Premier League’s Golden Ball winner and the captain of a team that has achieved something no Fijian district had managed for two decades.
Four trophies, one individual award and a place in Ba’s history have made his first season in black one to remember.
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