Anticipation is growing in Fiji ahead of next week’s Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion (CvC) series between Ba FC and Labasa with the first leg to kick off at 7 pm on Friday January 24 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The second leg will be hosted by Labasa at Ratu Cakobau Park on Sunday January 26 at 3pm.

Ba defeated Lautoka (1-0 and 2-1) in the two-match series to secure the CvC title last season and coach Ronil Kumar is happy with the defending champions’ preparations to defend their crown.

“Preparations are going well for us even though we do not have our full squad every day in training,” he said.

“It was very hard at the beginning as everyone came off from the festive season but the boys are responding well during the training sessions.

“I have a mixture of young and experienced boys and I’m glad that the two senior players Malakai Tiwa and Abbu Zahid continues to guide our young ones during the training sessions.

“Everyone knows that Labasa will not be easy at all, we expect a very tough encounter in this two match series,” the Ba coach added

Meanwhile the Labasa Football team is also fully focused on their task according to coach Ronil Lal.

“The players are responding well, it’s difficult to get full fitness only in few weeks but we are trying our best.

“It also depends on our recovery, nutrition and hydration which are very important, the coach explained.

Lal said the two-match series would definitely be a challenging one.

“It all depends on which team has prepared well and what system of play we are going to use.

“We will try our best to come up with a game plan to counter Ba,” Lal insisted.

Ends