Three players from the winning FMF Inter District Championship 2024, Extra Supermarket Labasa football men’s team have joined the Fiji men’s football squad.

The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) released the 29-member extended Fiji squad to prepare for the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The extended squad included Labasa’s Golden Glove winner Simione Tamanisau, veteran striker Christopher Wasasala and defender Sekove Naivakananumi.

Labasa coach Ravneel Pratap said the players deserved a call up after a great performance.

Pratap said these players showed the potential that Labasa possess if given time to perform.

He felt proud at the selection of his players to wear the national jumper.

Pratap said Wasasala would add more attacking prowess and believes he is a player that can easily build combinations with fellow strikers.

He thanked Fiji FA for taking note of their player’s improvement, which led to their selection.

“My players have the capability to perform at high level of football.”

Pratap urged other Labasa players who missed out to work hard in their effort to don the national colours.

He also warned the three players to lift their game because they would compete at the regional level.

“We want our players to be part of history if we achieve World Cup qualification,” he said.

The Rob Sherman-coached national side started their World Cup qualifier on a high note with 1-0 win over Solomon Islands in the first round.

Former Labasa FA president, Paul Jaduram, said Fiji FA made the right decision to give these players a chance to represent the national side.

“They deserve a call up after brilliant performances in the IDC,” he added.

FIJI SQUAD: 

Joela Biuvanua, Simione Tamanisau, Jerome Narayan, Akuila Mateisuva, Filipe Baravilala, Sekove Naivakananumi, Samuela Kautoga, Scott Wara, Sterling Vasconcellos, Atonio Tuivuna, Gabirieli Matanisiga, Josh Laqeretabua, Ivan Kumar, Kavaia Rawaqa, Setareki Hughes, Merill Nand, Rahul Krishna, Sitiveni Cavuilagi, Mohammed Raheem, Tevita Warainivalu, Dave Radrigai, Leroy Jennings, Aporosa Yada, Nabil Begg, Thomas Dunn, Roy Krishna, Sairusi Nalaubu, Etonia Dogalau, Christopher Wasasala.

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