Could this really be the year that Nasinu Secondary School will etch its name in the history of the Deans trophy winners?
This question will be answered when the dust settles at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva, tomorrow.
Nasinu, yet to get its hands on the prestigious Deans trophy, will lock horns against Ratu Kadavulevu School, one that is too familiar with this turf, having won the title 22 times.
Included in this 22-winning record was their 19-17 victory 37 years ago against Nasinu.
A two-point margin separated the two in a classic in 1988, hanging in the air is the question of whether RKS can repeat this or will Nasinu rewrite history?
“The boys will rise to the occasion and perform to their best this Saturday,” said NSS principal Naisa Cama during an interview with this newspaper.
A lot has been said on social media regarding the possible outcome of tomorrow’s under-18 final.
Old scholars, families and fans have publicly declared their support for the respective teams with banters between supporters keeping the spirit of the Deans alive.
Support has come in many forms and the 2024 losing finalist, will head into the final with the backing of the Nasinu township and the vanua of Kalabu.
A representative from the vanua of Kalabu was part of the delegation led by the Nasinu Town Council that visited the Nasinu Secondary on Wednesday.
His message, simple yet profound, reminded the U18 and 19 teams that with God anything is possible.
That visit held a lot of significance for the school.
“It’s quite a touching moment for us, headed by the Nasinu Town Council and the vanua of Kalabu, it’s a testimony to the unity and the new drive that is going on in Nasinu right now.
“It means a lot to the boys as we prepare for the grand-final tomorrow for our under-18 and 19. Them coming to show their support is really awesome and it means a lot to the school especially to the boys,” the NSS principal added.
With support comes the heavy load of expectations and hope which the two teams will carry with them to the field tomorrow.
Experts say these factors can either make or break a team during high-pressure moments of a game.