Ba Methodist High School made history yesterday as they booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship U19 division after edging Rakiraki Public School 2-1 at 4R Stadium in Ba.
Rakiraki Public looked to be in control at halftime, taking a 1-0 lead into the break. But Ba Methodist, competing in the U19 division for the first time, refused to be overwhelmed.
The side regrouped, raised their tempo, and piled pressure in the second half before slotting in two decisive goals that sealed their place among the tournament’s top eight.
For head coach Aseri Nakeke, the result was more than just a win it was proof of resilience and self-belief.
“We are really proud of the boys’ effort. These boys are rugby boys, and to see them come out and play soccer at this level is extraordinary,” Nakeke said.
“We take one game at a time, and to all our supporters, we hope they will come in numbers to cheer us on.”
The team’s progress has already become one of the feel-good stories of this year’s competition, with a group of athletes stepping outside their usual rugby comfort zone to chase football success.
Their underdog spirit and growing momentum now make them a side to watch as the knockout stages unfold.