Fiji Football Association

NAICOVU CARRIES PROUD FAMILY FOOTBALL LEGACY

Fiji Under-19 midfielder Waisea Naicovu is continuing a proud family football legacy as he prepares to represent the Junior Bula Boys at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa.

The promising Ba FC youngster carries a name that has been associated with Ba and Fiji football for generations.

Naicovu was named after his grandfather, Waisea Naicovu Snr, a former Ba and Fiji representative who was one of the prominent footballers of his era.

Naicovu Snr represented Fiji during the 1960s and was part of the national team that toured overseas in 1968.

Another prominent member of the family was Esala Masi Snr, who also represented Ba and Fiji and captained the national side.

Naicovu Snr and Masi Snr were among the prominent footballers of their generation, proudly representing both Ba and Fiji and helping lay the foundation for a remarkable family football legacy that continues today.

The football tradition was carried into another generation by former Ba and Fiji defender Malakai Kanahawe, who is young Naicovu's uncle.

Kanahawe also proudly wore the famous black jersey of Ba before going on to represent the country.

The family later produced another household name in Fijian football — Esala Masi.

Masi went on to become one of Fiji's most successful football exports and one of the country's most recognised strikers.

After establishing himself in Fiji football, Masi moved to Australia where he enjoyed a lengthy playing career, including appearances in the Australian National Soccer League.

He represented clubs including Gippsland Falcons and Wollongong Wolves and was part of the Wollongong side which won the National Soccer League championship.

Masi was equally influential in the national colours and represented Fiji at different levels before becoming a key member and captain of the senior national team.

One of the highlights of his international career came at the 2003 South Pacific Games in Fiji, where he captained the national side to the gold medal.

He scored in Fiji's 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in the final as the national side claimed gold on home soil.

Now another Waisea Naicovu is beginning to make his presence felt.

The young midfielder developed through the Ba football system, featuring at youth level before progressing into the Ba FC senior setup.

His development saw him earn opportunities with the Men in Black senior team during the 2026 season, giving him valuable experience at the highest level of domestic football.

Naicovu was also part of the Fiji Under-19 setup earlier this year, including the squad assembled for the international encounter against the Australian Joeys.

His continued progress earned him a place in the final Junior Bula Boys squad for the OFC U-19 Men's Championship in Samoa.

For young Naicovu, carrying such a famous football lineage will undoubtedly provide plenty of inspiration, but he now has the opportunity to establish his own name.

His grandfather Waisea Naicovu Snr represented Ba and Fiji, while the generations that followed produced national representatives including Malakai Kanahawe and Esala Masi.

Now, more than five decades after his grandfather wore the national colours, another Waisea Naicovu is proudly representing Fiji.

The family has already written many chapters in Ba and Fiji football.

Young Waisea now has the opportunity to write his own.

UQE’S RISE FROM BABASIGA TO NATIONAL DUTY

Young Labasa FC winger Jovesa Uqe will miss this year's Extra Battle of the Giants, but for a very good reason.

The 17-year-old is currently in Samoa with the Junior Bula Boys for the OFC U-19 Men's Championship, where Fiji will be chasing qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Uqe has enjoyed a steady rise through the football ranks, progressing from Labasa's junior and youth system before earning his opportunity with the Babasiga Lions senior side.

The Labasa Muslim College student has also been part of Fiji's national age-group pathway before earning selection in the current U-19 squad.

Despite his young age, Uqe has already shown he can compete at senior level.

He made his presence felt during the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT at Subrail Park, scoring in Labasa's crucial 4-2 victory over Rewa FC which helped the Babasiga Lions book a place in the semi-finals.

Uqe also found the back of the net three times during Labasa's Extra Premier League campaign.

His performances earned him a place in Fiji's 23-member squad for the OFC U-19 Men's Championship in Samoa.

While his Labasa teammates prepare for the Extra BOG at Four R Stadium at Govind Park in Ba, Uqe's attention is firmly on national duty and Fiji's bid for a place on the world stage.

Fiji has been drawn in Group B alongside Vanuatu, defending champions New Zealand and Tahiti.

The Junior Bula Boys open their campaign against Vanuatu at 10am this Wednesday, September 2, before facing New Zealand at 2pm on Saturday, September 5.

Fiji will complete its pool campaign against Tahiti at 10am on Tuesday, September 8.

All kick-off times are Fiji time.

For Uqe, the tournament represents another important step in a journey which has taken him from the junior ranks in Labasa to senior district football and now to representing his country.

And while Babasiga fans will not see the youngster wearing the famous red and white at this year's BOG, they will have every reason to keep an eye on events in Samoa.

One of their own is chasing a much bigger prize — the opportunity to help Fiji qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

4 DAYS TO GO — EXTRA BOG FEVER IS HEATING UP!

The 2026 Extra Battle of the Giants is almost here and the rush for tickets is ON!

VVIP, VIP and Sections C & E tickets are ON SALE NOW — secure your seats before they’re gone!

VVIP – $200 | 5-Day Package — ON SALE NOW
VIP – $150 | 5-Day Package — ON SALE NOW
Sections C & E — Adult $20 | Child U12 $10 — ON SALE NOW
Sections A, B, F & G — Adult $15 | Child $8 — SALES OPEN SEPTEMBER 1
Embankment — Adult $10 | Child $5 — ONLINE SALES OPEN SEPTEMBER 1

VVIP & VIP ARE SELLING FAST — DON’T MISS OUT!

September 4–6 & 12–13, 2026
Four R Stadium at Govind Park, Ba
Buy online : www.ticketmate.com.fj

FULLTIME | Dayal’s Sawmillers Ba FC 1-0 Stratum Rewa FC

Dayal’s Sawmillers Ba FC ended its championship-winning 2026 Extra Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Stratum Rewa FC at Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba.

Rusiate Doidoi’s goal proved to be the difference as the Men in Black held on for the win despite finishing the match with 10 players after Etonia Dogalau was sent off.

The result officially brings the curtain down on the 2026 Extra Premier League season, with Ba finishing as champions and Rewa in third place.

HERE IS OUR FIJI U-16 GIRLS TEAM!

Meet our young stars who will proudly carry the Fijian flag at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026 in the Solomon Islands.

The team departs for the Solomon Islands next week, ready to represent Fiji with pride, passion and determination on the Oceania stage.

FIJI’S GROUP A FIXTURES

Sunday, September 6
Fiji 🆚 Cook Islands
4:00pm

Wednesday, September 9
New Zealand 🆚 Fiji
4:00pm

Saturday, September 12
Solomon Islands 🆚 Fiji
7:00pm

HALFTIME | Dayal’s Sawmillers Ba FC 1-0 Stratum Rewa FC

Dayal’s Sawmillers Ba FC leads Stratum Rewa FC 1-0 at halftime in the final match of the 2026 Extra Premier League at Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba.

Rusiate Doidoi scored the goal to give the Men in Black the advantage heading into the break.

Tavua Hold Seaqaqa in Play-Off First Leg

Tavua FC fought back to hold Seaqaqa FC to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Extra Senior League Play-Off at Bocalevu School Ground in Labasa today.

The hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead, but Tavua responded in the second half to find the equaliser and keep the promotion battle wide open.

With the scores locked at 1-1, everything will now come down to the decisive second leg on September 13 at Four R Stadium at Govind Park in Ba.

The match will be played as the curtain-raiser to the 2026 Extra Battle of the Giants final.

The winner of the play-off will secure direct promotion to the Premier Division for the 2027 season.

HALFTIME | EXTRA SENIOR LEAGUE PLAY-OFF

Seaqaqa FC 1️⃣-0️⃣ Tavua FC

Seaqaqa FC takes a slender 1-0 lead into the break against Tavua FC in the first leg of the Extra Senior League Play-Off at Bocalevu School Ground in Labasa.