It was a day of dedication for the Rewa football side as they lifted the 2020 Punjas Battle of the Giants (BOG) title after beating southern rivals Suva 1-0 in a scintillating final at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Sunday.
Goal scoring hero Bruce Hughes said the entire Rewa family had dedicated the win to the baby of the team Josaia Sela Jr.
The 17-year-old Sela Jr was stretchered off the field during the Delta One Automotive Repairs-sponsored side semi-final clash against Ba after he scored the first goal during a heavy collision with the young Ba goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia Jr.
The Rewa youngster ended up with a severe shin fracture.
Bruce, the younger brother of Rewa captain and BOG player of the tournament Setareki Hughes gave credit to the Almighty.
“The whole Rewa team dedicates this win to Sela Jr for playing his hearts out during the semi-final and we honour him for this win,” he said.
Bruce said it was a team effort that helped him score in the final.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Lord Almighty for giving us this tournament that we had been working hard for. “I feel really happy to score in the final and help my team win the tournament.
“It was not just me, it’s the teamwork that mattered and that’s how I ended up scoring the goal.
“We did not look down as we had a feeling that we will take this trophy back, but we just had to work hard for it and do whatever the coach asked us to do on the ground.”
Rewa walked away with the BOG silverware and $17,000 while Suva settled for $5000 as runner-up.
Priceline Pharmacy Ba edged All in one Builders/Professional Valuations Nadi 2-1 to finish third and walk away $2500 while the Jetsetters received $1500 for finishing fourth.
Upcoming Go Fry Nasinu midfielder Jashnit Vikash received the golden boot award for being the top goal scorer while Ba youngster Isikeli Sevanaia Jr took away the golden glove award.
