Champions League support
The Suva football team’s campaign for next month’s Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League received a $30,000 boost from Digicel Fiji in Suva yesterday. Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Farid Mohammed said the sponsorship showed the company’s support and commitment on the development and progress of football.
“Since Digicel came in the past two years we’ve seen improvement in football with recently the Digicel Fiji Under-15 side recording a few wins abroad.” Mohammed wishes the Suva side well as they are in a tough Group A of the Champions League where they face defending champions Auckland City.
Suva Football Association secretary Shalendra Narayan said the team has been training hard under head coach Babs Khan. “We’re grateful to the support by Digicel and friends who have been attending our fundraising drives,” Narayan said.
He also indicated the Capital City side was going to give their best in the Champions League despite being placed in a tough pool.
Why Suva?
Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf has pointed out that if Suva wins the Champions League then they qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup to be played where $1million will be at stake for the winning club.
“In the past we always have two teams for the OFC Champions League but during COVID, it was decided that the two teams to have a playoff with the winner going through.
We’ve had that with Suva playing Rewa where they finished on top to qualify,” Yusuf said.
“It’s a big thank you to Digicel and we’re fortunate to have a corporate giant supporting football,” he added.
The Suva side is in Group A along with Auckland City, Lupe Ole Soaga and Solomon Warriors. All their matches will be played at Luganville City Stadium in Vanuatu.
Fixtures
May 14: v Lupe Ole Soaga May 17: v Auckland City May 20: v Solomon Warriors