Ba striker Saula Waqa is eyeing a return to the form that saw him claim the OFC Champions League golden boot two seasons ago.
The towering 21-year-old’s goals could be crucial as the Group B contenders square off against debutant host club, Hienghene Sport for their first outing of another Champions League campaign.
Waqa, who is no stranger to Champions League football is familiar with all the expectations the competition presents saying his side have prepared well and have committed to doing their best on the pitch.
“We came here for a mission and that is to win all three games in this pool,” Waqa said.
“It’s going to be tough but I believe we have prepared well for it.”
But the young and auspiciously talented footballer is also on a mission of his own and that is to reclaim the golden boot trophy again for the second time.
“I’ve prepared myself well for this and I am here to chase for that golden boot again,” he says.
Waqa shared overall scoring honours in the OFC Champions League when his nation hosted the 2014-15 edition of the Oceanian club competition in Nadi.
Although young in years the Fijian has astounded with his vibrant and flourishing football career having represented his nation at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015, where he scored in Fiji’s historic 3-0 win over Honduras in Christchurch.
He was also part of another milestone for Fijian football as a member of the U-23 team that qualified for the Rio Olympic Games last year, partnering Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna in his two appearances at that event.
“I count myself very lucky to have travelled around the world in respects to football and I’d like to thank my family and my Almighty God for the support they’ve given towards my football career,” he said.
If Waqa can continue his knack of scoring important goals, then he and his Ba teammates may yet add to Fiji football’s recent golden run.