THE 2026 BiC Fiji FACT final will be played between Ba and Navua at Labasa’s Subrail Park today.
Both teams had to survive extra-time battles to secure a spot in today’s final.
In the first semi-final, Ba edged hosts and defending champions Labasa 1-nil after extra-time.
It was Etonia Dogalau’s strike in the first spell of extra-time which saw the Men in Black secure a spot in the final.
It was a near-packed Subrail Park as fans came out in numbers to support the home side.
In the second semi-final, Navua had to come from a goal down to edge Lautoka 2-1.
Rusiate Matererega put the Blues ahead in the 75th minute from the penalty spot when Navua’s Aisake Naduvu handled the ball inside his penalty area.
It looked like Lautoka would make it to the final but Thomas Dunn had other ideas.
He sneaked in a header in the 89th minute after nice set up done up Sunny Deol and Peniame Drova.
The match was forced into extra-time.
With minutes to go for the match to head into penalties, Dunn struck again in the last minute of extra-time to send Navua into the final.
The final kicks off at 3pm today.
16-year wait for Ba
BA last won the Fiji FACT in 2010 and reached the final again in 2013.
The side is now aiming to go all the way once more after its semifinal win over Labasa at Subrail Park yesterday.
Head coach Ravinesh Kumar said the players showed great effort and discipline in the match.
“The boys played very well. They gave everything in this match. It’s really about attitude when you play a game like this, and also about avoiding lapses in concentration,” he said.
Kumar said the team’s focus during the match was very strong.
“Their focus level was very high, and I really applaud the boys for that,” he said.
He said memories of Ba’s 2010 title win in Lautoka have come back during this year’s campaign.
“I was expecting a different outcome, just like in 2010. We won the final back then in Lautoka, and I was part of that coaching team.”
He said there are similarities between that campaign and this year’s run, especially the path through the semi-final.
“Today, history seems to be repeating itself. We played Labasa in the semi-final, and back then we went on to face Nadi in the final.”
He said the team must stay focused as they prepare for the next match.
“We are expecting a good game but our level of concentration will remain the same wherever we are.”
He also thanked Ba supporters who travelled in large numbers to back the team.
“We really appreciate the supporters who travelled all the way from Ba and other parts of Viti Levu. I know flights and boats were full.”
He said the supporters should pray for the side as they will play the final today.
