Premier teams cannot underestimate Navua at the 2022 Punjas Battle of the Giants Tournament at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The Southerners showed their ‘never say die attitude when they held Rewa to a nil-all draw with ten men in the Digicel Premier League last Sunday.
Navua has created major upsets in the past and has a mixture of experience and youth to mount a challenge for the Punjas BOG title.
The Saiyad Ali coached side has won the prestigious BOF title once, in 2005 when they defeated Rewa 1-0 at National Stadium in Suva. They have also featured in two finals and the last was in 2010 against Rewa.
It’s been 17 years since Navua has not tasted the BOG victory.
The side faces a daunting task in Group B, where they are pooled with host Lautoka, Rewa and Ba. As only two teams will qualify for the semi-finals, Navua can ill afford to lose out points in the Group stages.
The Southerners have the services of experienced players like Netani Dolo, Brian Charritar, Vineet Chand, Joseph Elder, Aramu Manumanubai, Isake Naduvu, Mathew Charittar, Ajesh Chand, and goalkeeper Villiame Rakuro to name a few.
They face Ba in their opening match on Friday 26 at 4 pm, take on Rewa on Saturday at 1 pm while their final pool match will be against host Lautoka on Sunday at 1 pm.
