THE future looks promising for the Blue Gas Navua football team, with young talent stepping up in the Extra Premier League.
In their 1-0 victory over Nasinu on Sunday, 15-year-old Gus Danford made his senior team debut, becoming one of the youngest players to represent Navua at this level.
Gus, the youngest son of former Navua player and current businessman William Danford, started the match and impressed with his performance.
He was also part of the Fiji under-16 team that toured New Zealand earlier this year and is tipped to make the under-17 squad for next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers. Navua coach Babs Khan
praised the youngster’s efforts and emphasised the importance of developing local youth.
“There’s an abundance of talent in Navua,” Khan said. “We need to give these boys opportunities. Gus has shown real potential in training, and I’m proud to have handed him his first start.”
The win marked Navua’s third straight victory, all under Khan’s leadership, and the team has yet to concede a goal in the second round. “The team is in transition. The former coach had his style;
now it’s my job to guide them forward,” Khan said.
“With time, this squad will only get stronger.” Navua now faces a major test as they prepare to take on reigning champions Rewa this week at the Uprising Sports Complex. “Rewa will be tough,” Khan
admitted, “but I know what my team is capable of. On our day, we can match any side in the country.”
In other league fixtures, Labasa hosts Lautoka, Suva meets Tavua, Nadi plays Nadroga, and Ba takes on Nasinu
