High expectations as Labasa banks on home crowd

Labasa FC is pinning its hopes on a strong home-ground advantage as it gears up for the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT tournament, set to be held at Subrail Park. The team, affectionately known as the Babasiga Lions, is counting on the familiar turf and the fervent support of their local fans to propel them through a challenging competition.

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It’s our home ground, so I know the boys know the drill very well, how to perform on our ground. I know plenty of supporters and our families will be supporting us. For the boys, we will give our best for the upcoming Fiji FACT.

Expectations are high among the Labasa faithful, and the players are keenly aware of the pressure and excitement that comes with playing on home soil. Midfielder Christopher Wasasala expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well at their home venue, noting the strong presence of supporters and family members who will be cheering them on. "It's our home ground, so I know the boys know the drill very well, how to perform on our ground," Wasasala stated.

Despite the home advantage, Wasasala cautioned against underestimating any opponent, describing their pool as a "pool of death" due to the high caliber of teams involved. He stressed that all participating teams are well-prepared, promising a competitive and exciting tournament. "We will not underestimate any team, because our pool is a pool of death too," he added.

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We will not underestimate any team, because our pool is a pool of death too. I think all the teams are preparing well, so this Fiji FACT will be a good tournament. Those who come and prepare well will do well in this Fiji FACT.

Goalkeeper Jitoko Vulava highlighted the critical role of discipline and fundamental skills in achieving success. He acknowledged areas for improvement within the team and emphasized his personal commitment to continuous learning. "The most important thing as a goalkeeper is to stick to the basics," Vulava said. With the tournament hosted in Labasa, the team faces significant expectations, and Vulava is determined to deliver his best performance on the field.

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The most important thing as a goalkeeper is to stick to the basics. There are a lot of areas that we need to improve on, and every game I am still learning.

Labasa FC is scheduled to kick off its campaign against Suva FC on Friday, followed by a match against Nadroga FC on Saturday, both at Subrail Park.

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Now that the tournament has shifted here to Labasa, there will be a lot of expectations on the team. As a goalkeeper, I will try my best to deliver on the field.