NADI – Nadi has gone back to its historical relationship with Solomon Islands football to help boost its Inter-District Cup hopes. International players Stanley Waita, Godwin Bebeu (pictured) and George Lui will play for Nadi in the IDC to add depth to the Ravuama Madigi-coached side.
The players are no strangers to the local scene; Waita featured for Navua in the recent Battle of the Giants tournament while Bebeu and Lui have both represented Nadroga and Nasinu respectively in the past.
Waita and Bebeu have also played in the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) for Waikato FC.
Nadi soccer boss Jitendra Kumar believes the trio will boost their chances of winning the title after they lost 1-2 to Ba in the dying minutes of last year’s final.
“The Solomon players have been impressive in their domestic league and have been included in our squad to give the coaching staff more options, he said.
“Apart from the Solomon Islanders, we also have Australian-based Viliame Toma and Inoke Baselala, who will tighten our defence.”
“Preparations to the IDC are on track with full attendance at training daily.”
Fiji goalkeeper Benaminio Mateinaqara is expected to lead the Sharif Investments-sponsored ‘Green Machine’ which will feature the likes of Marika Namaqa, Maika Kasami, Josefa Tabusau, Iliki Ravosai, Michael Maharaj, Ratu Josefata Dugucagi and Ili Gaunavou (Junior).
Nadi has won the IDC six times and will be out to grab their seventh at Govind Park which is one of their happy hunting grounds.
Nadi and Nadroga will open the 2008 IDC which starts on October 9.
Story courtesy Fiji Football Association (FFA) and Fiji Live.