The 2019 INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants victory was a special one for Labasa captain Taniela Waqa.
Waqa who started his football career in 1997 never won the BOG title and it was this year he got the touch of the silverware.
He has featured for Lautoka and Navua where he won the Fiji FACT and IDC trophy.
An elated Waqa said he would like to thank the Lord for giving us strength, courage and the stamina to fight this battle and win it.
“This win is for all the fans and our families back home. The players made a lot of sacrifices and everybody including the officials worked very hard for this BOG.”
“The final was very tough but we managed to win as we believed in each other and worked very hard as a team.”
“We knew Lautoka will come prepared and we had to give our best to hold players like Totori and Drudru in the final and prevent them from scoring.”
“This Labasa team has some young players and we surely have a great team for the future and I personally want to thank the Coach, President and other officials for all their hard work.”
Waqa started playing football when Labasa first won won the BOG.
It was way back in 1997 at Subrail Park that Labasa ‘Baghwaan’ Tanilea Tuilevuka broke the hearts of Nadi to win their first ever Battle of the Giants title.
His free-kick from close to the middle of the park beat Nadi goalkeeper Waisiki Batina.
Fast Forward 22-years the Babasiga Lions once again basked in glory and this time around a former Lautoka boy Siotame Kubu was the toast for side as his lone goal sealed Labasa’s second BOG win on western soil.
Kubu scored the winner in the 79th winner after lobbing the ball over Lautoka goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara for lone 1-0 win.
Rayaz Khan, Labasa FA president thanked his players for a well-deserved win and ending a long awaited drought.
He said the win was for all its loyal fans and those back at home who have been longing for a BOG win.
Labasa walks away with $17,000 while Lautoka received $5000.
Labasa: Akuila Mateisuva, Iliesa Lino, Sitiveni Rakai, Siotame Kubu, Ilisoni Lolaivalu, Ashnil Raju, Akeimi Ralulu, Ilisoni Lagaivou, Antonio Tuivuna, Ravnesh Karan Singh, Taniela Waqa (Captain).
Lautoka: Beniamino Mateinaqara, Zibraaz Sahib, Jone Vesikula, Dave Radrigai, Samuela Gavo, Benjamin Totori, Edward Aron, Shivam Naidu, Samuela Drudru (Captain), Sekove Finau, Epeli Rokotuva.
