Fans celebrate Ba win

Local Sports

Ba fans celebrate with grog. Photo credit S1.Jovial Ba fans sang and celebrated with a rousing rendition of ‘Ba toh Ba hai’ (Ba is Ba) in Surrey, Canada last Saturday following the Champions League win at Ratu Cakobau Park.

Hundreds of jersey clad fans from around the lower mainland had wagered huge bets on the Men-in-Black to win the title away from defending champions Rewa and they were truly overjoyed with the end result.

The Fijian dominated Surrey city hosted a number of house parties for friends and relatives while the popular Club 68 was abuzz as well with close followers of Fiji soccer that were either glued to the live streaming on Mai TV or the radio commentaries. Ra native Malakai Tiwa, who sealed victory with a second goal against Rewa, was the best player for most fans.

Former Rarawai and now Vancouver resident Bobby Izaz Mohammed said it was about time Ba got the monkey off its back.

"It's phenomenal that Ba has won. I was nervous but I knew it was possible," he said.

Mohammed feels exciting times lie ahead for Ba fans, who endured the pain of less than average outings by their team in the last two years. The 49-year-old truck driver said he had faith in the team and wouldn’t trade a thing when it comes to district loyalty.

"I'm so proud, totally happy and living the moment, and not thinking about anything else right now. I’m on a grog binge all week long to celebrate.”

Varavu native Shofran Shah, 29, couldn’t hold his emotions back after Ba striker Isimeli Naresia scored the opening goal against Rewa. He ballooned screaming at the top of his lungs.

Delta city resident Shah, who was among those Ba fans that had gathered at the Club 68, admitted it was about time Ba got back to its menacing best. “They’re finally in tuned winning as a team. If they do play the way they played during the Champions League, I believe they have a very good chance of a clean sweep this year. I’m so proud of them. I can now blow my Vuvuzela,” he said. Ba great Ivor Evans also extended his good wishes to the team.

“It’s a great start to the season. Credit to the players and officials,” he said.