Labasa Ready to Fight for BOG Crown as Hussain Backs Babasiga Lions

Defending champions Labasa will head to Ba determined to put the disappointment of losing the Fiji FACT crown and missing out on the Extra Premier League title behind them when they begin their 2026 Extra Battle of the Giants title defence.

In an exclusive interview with Duavata News, Labasa Football President Shaheen Hussain acknowledged that defending the BOG crown will be no easy task, particularly with the tournament being played in Ba.

“Being the defending champions isn’t easy at all, and now trying to defend our title will be harder,” Hussain said.

“We also haven’t won a major tournament on this ground before. The boys are preparing well and they know what’s at stake after losing the Fiji FACT at home.”

Labasa entered 2026 carrying high expectations after an impressive 2025 season in which the Babasiga Lions captured both the Fiji FACT and Battle of the Giants titles.

However, their hopes of retaining the Fiji FACT crown ended at their own Subrail Park this season, a result Hussain admits hurt everyone associated with the team.

“Losing the Fiji FACT title at home was a very bitter pill to swallow for the players, officials and also our fans, but the fans need to understand we won’t win every tournament we play in,” he said.

There was further disappointment in the Extra Premier League, where Labasa finished runners-up after seeing their title hopes slip away late in the campaign.

Hussain revealed winning the league had been the club’s main objective this season, making a strong BOG campaign even more important.

“Winning the league was our main goal this year, but we let it slip right at the end, so doing well in the BOG is very important and the team knows this fact.”

Despite missing out on two major objectives this season, Hussain rejected suggestions that the Babasiga Lions would be weighed down by additional pressure in Ba

“Not really, as we have been winning at least a tournament every year since 2015, so winning isn’t anything new to us, unlike other teams,” he said.

𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Labasa has also moved to address areas of concern exposed during its Fiji FACT and league campaigns, with experienced football mentor Jerry Sam brought into the setup as technical director to assist coach Alvin Chand.

“We have roped in Jerry Sam as our technical director to help our coach Alvin to sort out issues that we have in the team, and I think we should be ready by BOG,” Hussain said.

Fitness has been one of the major areas receiving attention ahead of the tournament.

“Jerry and Alvin have been working on the fitness of the team, as that’s an area of concern for us looking at the Fiji FACT loss and also the league title.”

Hussain believes the pain of those setbacks can now be turned into motivation.

“I know my boys are hurting after the Fiji FACT loss and also losing the elusive league title with three games left to go, but we have learnt from our mistakes and hopefully we do well at the BOG.”

‘𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐮𝐬’

There will be no hiding for the Babasiga Lions in Ba.

Hussain knows carrying the defending champions tag means Labasa will be a target for every opponent, but says his players understand exactly what comes with being the team holding the trophy.

“Whatever happens, Labasa is the defending champion for BOG, so other teams have to beat us to be the champions of BOG,” he said.

“My boys understand that fact and will be prepared.”

Successfully defending the title would also carry greater significance after Labasa's setbacks in the Fiji FACT and league.

Hussain believes another BOG triumph would help restore confidence among supporters, while stressing the financial realities Labasa faces compared with some of the country's biggest football districts.

“Defending the BOG would clear doubts in fans and bring trust back, but we need to understand that we are competing with teams like Ba and Rewa who have four to five times more budget than us,” he said.

“So we should be proud that even with what we have, we are still pushing Ba to win.”

𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥

Labasa's passionate supporters are again expected to rally behind the side, including fans making the journey from Vanua Levu to Ba for the tournament.

Hussain had a simple promise for the Babasiga faithful: the defending champions will give everything they have.

“For the fans and families who will travel to Ba to support the team, we promise to give it our best shot,” he said.

“Our preparation shows we are ready to defend our title, God willing.”

The challenge is now clear for the Babasiga Lions.

They have already surrendered one trophy they won last year and watched the league title slip from their grasp.

But the BOG crown still belongs to Labasa, and in Ba, the defending champions intend to fight to keep it.

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