A new generation of Fijian footballers will have another opportunity to impress on the international stage when the Bula Boys compete at the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup 2026 in Suva.
Head coach Stephane Auvray has included a number of young talents in his squad, including Labasa’s Jone Lalagavesi, Ba’s Isimeli Gavidi, Vancouver-based Abdullah Khairati, Maikah Dau and Ryan Naresh.
Dau and Naresh have already been exposed to senior football this year, with the pair featuring for Bula FC in the OFC Professional League. They were also members of Fiji’s recent OFC U-19 Men’s Championship squad alongside Khairati.
Their involvement with Bula FC has provided them with valuable experience at a higher level and Auvray believes exposing young players to competitive football will be important for the future of the national team.
Auvray said the selection of young players was deliberate as he continues to identify footballers capable of forming the core of the Bula Boys in the years ahead.
“I believe those young players have abilities, first of all. They have a mindset, they’re hungry, they want to prove something and they want to represent the country,” Auvray said.
The national coach said the development of these players was also important with future competitions, particularly the Olympic Games qualifiers for the under-23 side, in mind.
“We’re preparing the competitions to come and the next one is the qualifiers for the Olympic Games, which is for U23s.
“So exposing those players from now, trying to expose them as well with Bula FC in the upcoming season, will prepare them for us to try to get that spot to go to the Olympic Games.”
Auvray has already provided Dau and Naresh opportunities at senior international level this year. In June, the pair were among a group of young players selected for Fiji’s international matches against Vanuatu as the coach continued to assess his options.
Dau, Naresh and Khairati then featured in Fiji’s U-19 campaign in Samoa earlier this month, gaining further international experience before joining the Bula Boys for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
For Auvray, the tournament is another opportunity to see how the younger players adapt to the demands of senior international football.
Tickets are $10 flat.
