As the 2025 Extra Supermarket Battle of the Giants Tournament kicks off at Subrail Park in Labasa, Navua FC arrives with a familiar yet exciting narrative — the underdog with enough bite to upset the giants. With a proud history of defying expectations, Navua’s blend of youthful energy and experienced heads makes them a side to keep a close eye on in this year’s tournament.
Navua FC’s crowning moment in the BOG came in 2005, when they edged past Rewa with a narrow 1-0 win at the National Stadium in Suva. Though they’ve not added to their BOG silverware since, the giant-slaying reputation they’ve cultivated over the years still holds strong. With several upsets across previous tournaments and a passion-fueled playing style, Navua’s spirit remains indomitable.
This year, the southern side is led by veteran tactician Babs Khan, former head coach of Nadi and Suva. Khan’s focus has been on rebuilding the squad with fresh talent — nurturing a generation that can thrive under pressure and bring renewed energy to Navua’s campaign. His experience will be invaluable in sharpening this youthful unit for tournament football.
Navua’s attacking arsenal is bolstered by the presence of Solomon Islands striker Ali Mekawir, whose international experience brings a new dimension to the forward line. Joining him is Fiji national team striker Sairusi Nalubu, offering both goal-scoring prowess and composure in the final third.
The team is further reinforced by experienced campaigners, including: Kolinio Sivoki – the dependable anchor in defense, Arami Manumanibai and Filipe Baravilala – offering stability and midfield control, Sunny Deol and Vinal Prasad – injecting pace and versatilityAlfred Ali – contributing creativity, and Jovilisi Borisi – guarding the goalposts with confidence and agility.
Navua recently played at Subrail Park in their Extra Premier League encounter against Labasa — a match they narrowly lost 1-0 due to a last-minute penalty. The fixture, however, gave them valuable insight into the conditions and crowd dynamics at the venue — an advantage that could serve them well in the tournament.
Navua is drawn into a challenging group alongside Rewa, Suva, and Nadi FC. Their tournament schedule is as follows: Friday, August 01 – vs Rewa at 4:00 PM, Saturday, August 02 – vs Suva at 11:00 AM and Sunday, August 03 – vs Nadi FC at 10:00 AM
