Flow Valve/ Island Accommodation Suva looks one of the stronger sides, at least on paper, at the 2020 Punjas Battle of the Giants tournament.
The Capital City side have proved they are front runners for the title after a solid start in the Vodafone Premier League, where they remain undefeated. Suva has been preparing well under their new coach Babs Khan.
Notable names in the squad include former Ba reps Simione Nabenu, Laisenia Raura, Benaminio Mateiniqara, Remeuru Takiata and Meli Codro. Also featuring in white will be former Labasa reps Manasa Levaci, Christopher Wasasala and Ravinesh Karan Singh. Solomon Islander Patrick Taroga and Nigerian import Jibola Afonja will add an international dynamic to the squad, while players like Nickel Chand, Shahil Dave, Madhwan Goundar and Sairusi Nalaubu add to Suva’s formidability.
History is not on their side, though. It has been 25 years since the Capital City tasted BOG success, and they have never won the title in Lautoka. They did reach the BOG final in 2018, though.
In the tournament’s illustrious history, the Capital City has had their name engraved on the trophy only three times. As President Ritesh Pratap and his team knows, Suva’s attack has to deliver if they are to break their 25-year BOG hoodoo.
Suva starts their campaign against defending champions Labasa on Friday August 7 at 2pm, faces Nasinu at 11am on Saturday, and play their final Group A match against Ba on Sunday at 2pm.
