Current Vodafone Premier League point’s table leaders Rewa will enter the 2020 Punjas Battle of the Giants tournament as one of the favourites. The Delta Tigers has been buoyed by stalwart Marika Rodu, who returns home after a stint as Fiji Football Asociation’s national women’s coach.
Under the former Rewa and national rep, Rewa achieved three back-to-back BOG titles in 2003 and 2004, 2010 and 2011, as well as 2014 and 2015. Overall, Rewa has won the coveted BOG title eight times since 1978.
Despite a shaky start this season in the Vodafone Premier League with a 1-0 loss to Ba, the Delta Tigers have been unbeaten in six straight matches to top the points table.
Delta One Automotive Repairs sponsored is a team full of confidence, and has the ability to compete with the best teams in the competition. Churchill Park has been lucky for Rewa. They won their first BOG title here in 1979 beating Ba 4-2 in penalty kicks. They won here in 2003, defeating Ba 1-0, and in 2017 when they beat Nadi 2-1.
They will rely on the experience of players like goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau, Peniame Drova, Kavaia Rawaqa, Posiano Kalisito, Usaia Tadu, Anish Khem, Setareki and Bruce Hughes, Ratu Tevita Warainivalu, Gabrieli Matanisiqa, Waisake Navunigasau and Misaele Draunibaka. Upcoming stars to look out for in the squad include Inoke Turagqalailai, Mohammed Naizal, France Catrogo, Mohammed Ramzan, Epeli Valevou, Patrick Joseph, Sairusi Bokini and Josaia Sela Jnr.
In pool play, they face the likes of host Lautoka, Nadi and an unpredictable Navua side. Rewa will start its campaign against Lautoka in the opening day on Friday August 7. They face Nadi on Day Two at 5pm, and battle Navua in its last pool play on Sunday at 12pm. Will they roar the loudest at the 2020 Punjas BOG? We will soon find out.
