THE North has produced another rising football talent, with 14-year-old Dreketi College goalkeeper Meresiana Sukanauwa earning a late call-up to the Fiji Mini Kulas squad for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Solomon Islands.
Sukanauwa’s selection comes just a fortnight after she won the Golden Glove in the Open Girls grade at the Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship in Labasa.
Her rise is significant not only for Dreketi College, but for Northern football, as she becomes the first member of her family to represent Fiji in football.
Remarkably, Sukanauwa only started playing football in Year Eight and was initially a reserve goalkeeper for Dreketi College.
Teacher and coach Mohammed Altaf said giving her an opportunity during the school’s second zonal pool match proved decisive.
“She was on the bench, but in our second zonal pool game, I decided to give her an opportunity because I believed she was capable of doing the job,” Altaf said.
Sukanauwa seized the opportunity, saving a penalty and helping Dreketi College protect a 2–1 lead.
“From that moment, she continued to improve and showed that she had the ability and confidence to become a good goalkeeper,” Altaf said.
Her performances earned her the Golden Glove before the unexpected national call-up.
“It was a proud moment for me and my school when I received the Golden Glove award, and it has become even sweeter now that I have been called into the Mini Kulas squad,” Sukanauwa said.
Altaf described her as “very hardworking and courageous” and said she never gave up.
Sukanauwa will now carry the hopes of her school, family and the North onto the international stage.
