THE under-19 title will have a new owner when the Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship kicks off in Labasa today.
Last year’s winner Tabia Sanatan College will not be there to defend the crown after failing to qualify, leaving the door wide open for a new national champion in the premier boys’ grade.
Tabia created history last year when it defeated Vunimono High School 1-0 in extra time in the final at Govind Park. It was the Labasa school’s first U19 national title. Vunimono, however, returns to the competition with unfinished business.
The Nausori school was beaten by Tabia in last year’s final after progressing through a difficult knockout stage. It had earlier defeated Suva Muslim College in a penalty shootout in the semi-final.
Suva Muslim is also back this year, giving two of last year’s four semi-finalists another opportunity to chase the title.
The other two semi-finalists, Tabia and Seaqaqa Central College, are absent from this year’s U19 field.
That makes the 2026 championship an intriguing contest, particularly with the likes of Vunimono and Suva Muslim carrying the experience of last year’s run.
Suva Muslim also arrives with confidence after ending a 25-year wait for the Suva Secondary Schools U19 title, beating DAV College 1-0 in the Southern Zone final earlier this month.
The northern schools will also be keen to make home advantage count, with Fiji Secondary Schools Football Association president Aminesh Ram predicting a tough battle between schools from Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Twenty teams will contest the U19 grade, with the opening round of matches being played across Labasa today.
Pool A features Vunimono High School, Guru Nanak Khalsa College, MGM High School and Ratu Navula College.
Tavua College, All Saints Secondary School, Vashist Muni College and Lautoka Muslim College make up Pool B, while Pool C comprises Central College, Baulevu High School, SVC and Penang Sangam College.
Pool D has Labasa College, Tilak High School, Xavier College and Nadi Sangam College, while Pool E brings together Suva Muslim College, Ba Sangam College, Labasa Muslim College and Labasa Sangam College.
