Defending Extra Premier League champions Rewa will be excused from playing for most part the national league matches due to national commitments. However, they will have to play two matches a week when they return.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf.

Yusuf said six of the Rewa players are in the 14-member national football squad that leaves for New Zealand on Saturday.

They are Setareki Hughes, Patrick Joseph, Tevita Waranaivalu, Epeli Valevou, Gabirieli Matanisiga and Ivan Kumar.

The national football team is playing New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers in Wellington on March 21.

Yusuf said the Rewa players would head straight to Honiara in the Solomon Islands after the Word Cup qualifiers for the OFC Champions League.

“Rewa will have the privilege of not playing the league since their main players will be away. All of Rewa’s matches have been re-scheduled for mid-week matches once they return from Honiara. With that Rewa will be playing two matches a week,” he said.

Yusuf said this has enabled the players to focus on the task ahead with the World Cup qualifiers being their next assignment.

“Nothing is impossible (on beating New Zealand), the boys are fired up with the inclusion of a few experienced overseas based- players,” he said.

Yusuf said the team would have a 12-day camp in New Zealand where they play warm-up matches against Auckland FC, Wellington Phoenix and a trial to be conducted by coach Rob Sherman.

“Only 14 players are flying from Fiji, but they will be joined by some overseas-based players from England and Australia who will make up the numbers.

“The final 23-member squad will be announced after they have a one-week camp in Auckland.”

Yusuf reiterated of his confidence that the national team can hold their own against New Zealand.

“We’re hoping the team click and perform to their best. Nothing is impossible as I’ve said, they can beat New Zealand. It’s a do-or-die match, nothing to lose for us so the boys will go out and play their hearts out.”

Yusuf has called on Fiji football fans in New Zealand to back up the team.

Injury update

Meanwhile, Yusuf said Fiji football captain Roy Krishna had recently undergone surgery.

“He is still on crutches, the doctors have advised him to stay put in India and wait until he is cleared to start walking,” he said.

“As a result, he won’t be available (even to be with the team),” he added.

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