“Get the f*** out of Ba FC”: goalkeeper exposes abuse from his own supporters

Ba FC goalkeeper Misiwani “Misi” Nairube has spoken openly about the personal abuse he received from supporters during the 2026 Inter-District Championship (IDC), revealing that some fans sent him offensive messages following the team’s 2-2 draw against Navua in the group stage. Speaking directly to Oceania Football Center, the experienced Fijian international questioned the treatment of players by their own supporters and called for greater understanding of the physical and emotional pressures involved in competitive football.

The incident occurred after Ba surrendered a two-goal advantage against Navua on October 7 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Nairube, who had taken over goalkeeping responsibilities during the tournament, was among the players targeted by criticism despite the Men in Black remaining unbeaten in their campaign.

“People messaged me after the game against Navua in the pool stage, telling me to get the fuck out of Ba FC,” Nairube told OFCe. “They swore at me, saying I had never done anything good for the team, that I’m old and need to go and play somewhere else.”

The 30-year-old goalkeeper expressed particular frustration with individuals who identify themselves as Ba supporters but direct personal attacks at players whenever results fall short of expectations. He argued that supporting a football club should involve standing behind its players through difficult moments rather than undermining their confidence.

“These people call themselves Ba FC fans when they themselves don’t even give a single cent to the team and are just good at talking on social media. If you’re really a true fan, no matter the outcome, keep supporting your own players instead of saying things that make a player look down on themselves. This has to stop,” he said.

Nairube also highlighted aspects of football that spectators do not always see, including the difficulties of playing through physical discomfort, dealing with injuries and coping with the expectations that accompany representing a club with Ba’s history.

“Fans think it’s easy to be running, being injured and still wanting to play just because of the love of the jersey we wear. If these people were given a chance to go and play on that field with lots of pressure, then they would know how hard it is to play under pressure,” he explained.

His comments carry additional weight given his extensive career in Fijian football. Nairube emerged as one of the country’s most promising goalkeepers during Fiji’s historic victory at the 2014 OFC U-20 Championship, where he received the Golden Glove award. The following year, he represented Fiji at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, the country’s first appearance at the tournament.

He also gained experience in the OFC Champions League with Ba and went on to represent Fiji at senior international level. Having spent several seasons playing in domestic football, including periods with other Fijian clubs, Nairube officially returned to Ba’s squad in January 2026.

More than a decade after his emergence on the international stage, he remains an important member of the Men in Black. His contribution during the recent IDC was particularly significant in the semi-final against Labasa, when he saved Lekima Gonerau’s penalty during the shootout to help Ba reach the championship decider.

The goalkeeper subsequently kept a clean sheet in Ba’s 2-0 final victory over Navua, helping the club complete an unprecedented sweep of Fiji’s four major domestic competitions in 2026.

Following that triumph, Nairube publicly acknowledged that some people had questioned his ability to continue playing because of his age. In a Facebook message previously reported by OFCe, he thanked those who continued believing in him and dedicated the victory to his cousin, while emphasising the importance of family support.

His latest remarks, however, go beyond his own experience. When asked whether such negative comments were common or limited to the recent match against Navua, Nairube responded that they happened “a lot.”

The goalkeeper believes that even those who have previously participated in football competitions sometimes underestimate the pressure faced by players on the field. For him, criticism is part of the sport, but personal abuse from supporters crosses a different line.

“I’m sorry, but this has to be put out there so the fans know how we players deal with this kind of bad comments coming from our own fans,” he concluded.

Nairube’s account offers a reminder that the pressures of football are not confined to professional leagues or major international competitions. Players in Fiji’s domestic game also face public scrutiny, and the words directed at them can carry consequences far beyond the final whistle.