Ba Creates History on Labasa Soil

SPORTS

6/30/20261 min read

The Men in Black are champions once again.

Ba Football Club has been crowned the 2026 BiC Fiji FACT champions after defeating Navua in a tense final at Subrail Park in Labasa, ending a 16-year wait for one of Fijian football's most prestigious trophies.

After a hard-fought contest that remained deadlocked through regulation and extra time, the final was decided by a penalty shootout, where Ba held their nerve to seal a famous victory and spark jubilant celebrations among their travelling supporters.

Ba first stunned defending champions Labasa 1-0 after extra time in the semi-final on their home ground before overcoming Navua in the championship match, proving they were worthy champions on one of the toughest stages in Fiji football.

The victory also marks a significant milestone for Ba Football Association President Praneel Dayal, who had made no secret of his ambition to restore the Men in Black to the top of Fijian football.

Since taking over the association, Dayal has focused on rebuilding the club's culture, strengthening its football programme and returning silverware to one of Fiji's most successful districts.

For Ba supporters, the victory is about far more than another trophy. It signals the return of a football powerhouse that has produced generations of national stars and built one of the richest legacies in the local game.

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📧 editor@duavata.news