The Jetsetters will be out to prove a point in the 2020 Punjas Battle of the Giants (BOG) tournament at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
It has been 24 years since they last hoisted the BOG silverware, beating Tavua 3-1 in the 1996 final in Ba. The star of that particular win was the famous Watisoni Voli, who netted two goals in that memorable final. Almost a quarter century on, Voli’s son Rusiate Matarerega will turn out in Nadi’s green strip at the Punjas BOG. Matererega has already made headlines for his heroic performances for Nadi in recent seasons. Can Matarerega continue his father’s legacy?
Nadi became the first BOG Champion when they beat Ba 1-0 in the final at Govind Park in 1978. The Jetsetters came close to clinching the title in 2017, only to be edged by Rewa 2-1 in a closely-contested final.
Veteran coach Kamal Swamy returns to guide the side. He had led Nadi to back-to-back wins in the Fiji FACT in 2013 and 2014.
The Jetsetters will rest their hopes on players like goalkeeper Vereti Dickson, defenders Ame Votoniu and Afraz Ali, midfielders William Valentine and Christopher Kumar and strike-partners Matarerega, Sakaraia Naisua and Napolioni Qasevakatini. Midfield maestro Avinesh Waran Swamy will be the player to watch for Nadi. Swamy is familiar with high stakes, and has had BOG success previously with Ba.
Nadi will begin its BOG campaign against an unpredictable Navua outfit on Friday 7 August at 12pm. They face the current national league leaders Rewa in their second match at 5pm on Saturday before taking on the hosts Lautoka in its final pool match at 4pm on Sunday.
