IT is always easy to dream and when it comes down to reality, it takes a person to work extremely hard on the journey to see his dream happens.
One can ask how much sacrifice Rewa soccer strikers Iosefo Verevou and his elder brother Epeli Saukuru made in their status clear in the football fraternity today.
The brothers rose to stardom when both destroyed traditional giants of Fiji football Ba in the 2015 Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament a week ago.
Both scored a goal in each half in front of their loyal supporters and both became the most feared names in the soccer field.
Verevou, 19, said if one had the strong willpower and determination to do the hard yards, nothing could stop them from doing their best.
A year ago, Verevou was down dejected. He had lost all his hope of playing quality soccer after he was suspended by the national governing body for breaking camp during the FIFA under-20 qualifiers.
Hit with all the criticism and negative outcry, it only made him stronger and gave him the burning desire to prove his innocence.
“It is a big difference to me when I sit back and think of what and how I manage to come through my rejection. And to carry on the journey until now, I feel amazed and surprised,” he said.
“It teaches me a lot of lesson. At a stage, I thought it was the end of my career. My district team and the officials had a faith in me and they fought for me against everyone.”
August 9, 2015 will go in the history books of Rewa Football Association, the two brothers brought Ba goalkeeper Misiwane Nairube to his feet with their super strike.
Verevou told Times Sports about the imagination that was running in his mind on the same morning where they created another chapter to the team.
“I was sleeping in our camp when my mum called me at 5am in the morning. But before that I had a feeling that we will beat Ba in the final. I started to imagine how I will score the goal, celebrate after scoring and after the match celebration,” he revealed.
“It was like, I was dreaming.
“My mum told me the tournament belongs to Rewa and there is no two-ways about it.”
Verevou’s mum motivated and encouraged him ahead of the final. The pavilion was covered by red colour and it gave the scoring machine a solid boost that the day belongs to them.
“After hours of my imagination, it all came true and I did it.”
Former Nadroga and Navua striker and elder brother, Epeli Saukuru said it was in their destiny that both brothers were on target in the final day.
“The win was a pleasure for the team and defending the title in front of our fans, we could not ask for more.
“The players and officials had set the target to win the tournament.
“Game after game we improved and became better. When we played teams such as Ba and Suva, we didn’t lose the confidence in each other,” Saukuru said.
Saukuru, 27, said he was proud of the achievement of his younger brother.
“He started playing at a very young age. I used to go and play soccer after school and he used to follow us to the ground. At times I used to get angry on him and I chased him home since he was very young. He wanted to play against the big boys,” he added.
“Soccer contributed a lot to our family lives since it is a bread and butter for the family and has taken us to this height. Today, I am lucky and happy to have a brother like him.
“He has been very faithful to the family and himself.”
Life has not been smooth for these two brothers as they had to walk on the path of thorns to stardom and fame.
Before Sunday’s BOG the final, the two brother were surprised to see their dad at the ground as he came to support them after a long time.
According to Saukuru, this motivated them and encouraged them to work the extra mile and both scored Rewa’s goals.
“We were wrong that when he left us we thought that he did not care about us but no he did come to show his support.”
On the 90th minute mark Rewa coach Marika Rodu decided to bring a brother in place of another.
The words of Verevou to his elder brother doubled the confidence level and a positive vibe ran through his body.
“I was getting ready to go in place of Sefo when we met on the way. I thanked him for scoring the goal.
“He told me to go inside and do my best to finish it off,” he said.
To many, it may be a surprise as Verevou has been dubbed as the local version of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrrad and coincidentally he turns out to be Verevou’s favourite player.
“I always look upon Steven Gerrard as he is one of my favourite players. It is funny that people call me local Steven Gerrard after the tournament. But everytime Liverpool played I used to watch his style of football and learnt a lot from him. I always want to be like him though we play at a different position.
“He’s a midfielder and I’m a striker. Whatever he has been doing on the international scene, I am trying to do it here.
“Scoring goals has become my hobby and playing in the World Cup has certainly taken me to another level and has really boosted my confidence level.”
Verevou still remembers the night when coach Marika Rodu called him to be part of the Rewa senior team. That not only changed the fortune of Rewa but it gave another dimension to Fiji Football.
“At the age of 14, I made my debut which is the major highlight of my career.
“That time I used to train with the youth team and I always watched the big boys playing for the Rewa senior side. Soon I also started playing with them.
“One day Marika Rodu saw me in training and he came to me and asked if I want to play for the Rewa team. I thought he was joking but no I was wrong and he said I could join the training from the next day.
“For me, the age and height did not matter
“Tavua players were big but I didn’t see that but concentrated on football. I scored a goal in that match.
“Rewa has done a lot of things to me and my family
“My loyalty will be with them. They also took me to Australia though I was suspended.”
The man behind Rewa’s success Nazeel Buksh said winning has never been part of his plan when he took charge.
“When I took Rewa FA office, my aim was not to win titles. It will come as you go along the journey.
“But the aim and the mission of all the officials was to take Rewa forward,” he said.
“I have been proudly associated with the Rewa team for the past nine years.
“In these years I have won seven titles.
“As for the Battle of the Giants, this is the fourth time to win it.
“I won two titles as the team director and twice as a president of the association.
Buksh who had witnessed Verevou’s humble beginning is waiting for an opportunity to come their way to see him prosper overseas.
“We all want Verevou to see above Roy Krishna and we are waiting for this offer.
“But it is not Verevou who will decide which international club to join.
“We will all sit together and then decide which team to play for.
“We only want the best for him and do not want him to play for any small teams.
“We want to see him play in A League or European League in the world.”
Time will take for the Rewa players, officials and fans to sink in their recent victory as they are the true champions for 2015 but the Delta Tigers are ready to roar again.
* Next Week: We will talk to the president Nazeel Buksh on the development work.
