KibworthBull

December 2030 A major moment. A rare moment. Two nations ticked off in one game! The back story - Renato gets MoTM in the draw at Norberto de Castro - a game we probably should have won. However, in the Futebol Clube Onze Bravos do Calundo match, he scored (so Brazil became #30) and so did Moussa Djama - a new Djiboutian striker, who got the MoTM award - so became #31 We were supposed to play the league leaders at the end of the month but the rain put paid to that. 10 pts clear with a game in hand. 8 games left.

November 2030 We've got 44 players, which feels excessive, so 7 are told they have no future and leave. The vice captain is one who departs - barely a footballer based on what I've seen in the past two months. The group is fighting like beavers for the badge, it is fantastic to see, the limbs when Yamba dos Santos bundled home a 95th-minute winner against Ismael Futebol Clube We bring in our first foreigner - Renato is a Brazilian LB/CD who has been with another 3rd tier side for the past few years. His debut against Cabinda Sport Clube ensures that we've had a player from every continent play for us now. Bartolomeu Gonçalves got the winner - a player who appears to get injured every time he trains. Fantastic Month We now sit 7 clear of the drop. 11 matches left.

October 2030 The game is difficult with NO staff. Thankfully through the month a Goalkeeping coach and a Director of Football were hired, but it's still very slim pickings. And tricky to understand what is good and what isn't. The only thing that is going to matter? After 34 games, being 15th or higher. The front office is a revolving door as players depart and new ones come in - the joy of non-contracts is that most transfer windows don't apply. A new keeper and a new right winger came on board. On reflection a decent month - 5 points. Ahead of the line. Just

The rest of September 2030... Straight into matches. I am the only member of staff. I don't like the responsibility Game 1 was the Victoria do Bie draw. 8 points from 5 games and we are clawing the gap back from the relegation zone as I desperately try and find some staff that want to join me. Fortunato Dias is the only player recruited. A 16yr old striker. On paper (well screen...) looks as good as what I had. Yamba Gomes ticks off Angola as nation #29, with his treble against OGC Dom Bosco. We are now level with the pack

Interlude (September 2030) It's time to settle down for something long term Welcome to Angola. We are in the 3rd tier and their is plenty of work to be done

August and September 2030 There goes the unbeaten season. It does not matter 1 jot though. The focus wasn't on winning the last few games. It was trying to tick off a nation or two. That didn't work. It's time to leave the Oceanic region and get to Africa

July 2030 Fresh legs. Both are from North America. Frey is from St Pierre & Miquelon whilst Ribeiro is from Saint Barthélemy. Both are considered key players in the national side. One match to worry ourselves about The late winner secured the title, my 5th of the save. I've had tougher campaigns. When the campaign finishes I am off to Angola

June 2030 The league title is only a matter of time. Two more comfortable victories. 8 points clear with 4 games left. We will have to wait until August for it to be confirmed.

May 2030 Short Term Goals: Add a 5th League Title to my collection Find a job in Africa. I don't plan to be in Micronesia next year Let's move with the league title, victory over Nimgil Youth puts us 6 clear at the halfway mark. Ioane Jim and Jordan Torres are goal machines for this level, and between them we are able to increase the gap to 8 points by the end of the month. The transfer window opens in July so we might be able to sneak a nation or two in before we depart for different shores. It'll only be 3 games but we only need 1 game to tick off a nation.

April 2030 And just like that... Lewis Orchard gets a double and he pops the champagne cork and the job in Oceania is complete. All 15 nations, played, scored and man of the match. Only took 9 seasons. Just a small matter of 200 more nations... Well placed after 6 games. I've already started applying for jobs in Africa. My next destination.

March 2030 We are still employed. And the board appeared quite happy with me. It seems to reset at the end of the season which is nice. We've improved our Kiribatian options. Geordan Wall will play on the left of midfield and I have high hopes. We also have a Defensive Midfield back-up option. So 5 Kiribatians. And a Sri Lankan. One major departure. Our Wallis and Futunan have moved to the top flight of Micronesia 2 goals for Kiribatian Lewis Orchard on the opening day... could he? No... the Centre Back Johnson gets MoTM for 1 assist and a load of headers With Ioane Jim in such impressive form, we hit the top of the tree but the Kiribatians are not getting the nods.

September 2029 Last match of the decade. Last game in Oceania? Last game at the club? The club have had their best ever season but... Dorian I fricking love you mate! We finish 4th, but will it be enough to save the job?

August 2029 After much soul searching, angry words, and frankly, bribery... The only Wallis and Futuna national in the database has joined the club!! He goes straight into the side, on penalties and free kicks until he gets the MoTM! He makes his debut against Gagil but is upset I didn't bring a compatriot into the club - never change FM.... All of the Oceania nations have played for me in the save now. 3 goals from Kiribatians but not enough to get the champagne.

I'm more likely to tick off Kiribati, Micronesia and Wallis & Futuna in a lower grade of football (Micronesia) compared to Fiji. Thankfully I've won the Oceanic Champions League so don't need to worry about that one again.

July 2029 New blood... Kiribatian Blood. Orchard and Holland are international strikers for Kiribati. Kumar is a centre-back and a former player. Suldan is Micronesian as are the others listed. One match this month. Our first attempt at getting Kiribati off our backs. A goal but not enough. 3 more attempts this season.

May and June 2029 It's hard to get across just how dreadful our side is. We have 3 matches until we can strengthen. It may not be enough. All I need is a Kiribatian and if I get sacked I can move onto another continent. The Wallis guy doesn't want to know. Rocky James' penalty could be massive, and it could give me enough time to scout as much of the national team as I can to get players in in July. Back to back victories mean we are 5th with 4 to play.

April 2029 The waiting game. 4 months until July. And the next nation. On the pitch, it's not exactly on fire just yet. The board wants the top 2, which is increasingly looking optimistic. Off the pitch, the door has started to revolve - removing the trash that autogenerates

March 2029 Being appointed 4 days before the start of the season was fun. Massively under-prepared. And I can't bring in any Kiribatians or Wallisans until July. Heavy defeat, Big victory.. Australian Xavier Davis becomes nation #25 with a debut double. An unexpected bonus to have a new nationality in the squad. Next game, and nation #26 - the reason we are here - Micronesia!

Apply for a job in October... Interview in March.... I love FM sometimes...

I'll be honest... the season updates aren't working. I keep missing stuff. So will update as I play. Rather than review the past season in Fiji, i will give a holistic update. We won 6 of the 7 trophies but lost the Champions League final 1-0. My time in Fiji is at an end. We've dominated, Ba have turned professional and have over a £1m in the bank. No other club is consistently close to us. I am still 2nd in the Oceanic Hall of Fame but as it's not an official part of the season, I am okay with that. I can always jump back in if needed later. I'll be playing this one for a while. I haven't finished with Oceania as I have some more nations to tick off. 10% of the world is complete, but 3 nations in the continent still need to be mastered. Micronesia Kiribati Wallis and Futuna - very tricky this one, there is no league, and only 1 player in the game I will only be able to complete these 3 if I am playing in one of the nations, I've done Kiribati in the past (who hasn't eh...) so it'll be Micronesia next. Nothing else in the challenge is close to being complete I will return when I have a new club.

Hey. Me again. It's that time to look in on Victor and scour the t'internet and establish what he's been doing in Fiji. Last season was 7 trophies, so how do you improve on perfection? By winning 6 trophies, making it an in-perfection. The following is the Season Preview from the Ba Gazette: "Minimal changes for Ba, as they look to win all 7 trophies available for them for a 2nd season in a row. Incoming is Jermaine Sione, an American Samoan striker who was recommended by MJ-Foao Danielson, and we hope that he is a little more successful than MJ was!. And that's it... In the out tray, Roonui Tehau has joined Suva, Peceli Sukabula (Nadi), Rahul Naresh (Lautoka), and Kiniviliame Prasad (Northland). Also Jason Rokovucake has retired. Ba, are favourites for everything, and with the strongest squad in the nation, it will be an embarrassment for Victor if he doesn't win all 7". It wasn't all plain sailing as the Fijian FA Cup proved, this article from the Gazette again. "Revenge is a dish, best served cold. Rakiraki dealt the hammer blow to Victor's 7 attempts, just 3 days after they secured the OCL for a third straight year, Sikeli Sagatoro, a player that Victor picked every week was the man that ended the hopes with a well-placed finish, late in the 2nd half" The rest was plain sailing. There's no real other way of saying it. So the Fijian Media didn't... In other developments. Victor ticked off 3 more nations. American Samoa - this one took 52 games across 2 players New Zealand, a quicker one, took 49 games and was achieved by midfielder Jake Debenham Senegal - late-season addition, Yero Gallas scored on his debut and ticked off the African nation straight away. Everything else appears to be as you were. Malakai Love-Semira scored his 74th and last goal for the club at the end of the campaign and has moved to Australia for a higher grade of football.

When we last looked in on Victor, he had won his first Champions League but then suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes - or a few too many draws - and finished 2nd in the Fijian Premier League. Well, I have news, dear reader... He bounced back. In some style. Before that revelation, I found a bit of a preview piece which explains a bit about the transfer dealings before the 2026 season: "New Blood as Oanase backs his Ba boys to bounce back, Nadi Defensive Midfielder Tavita Lal has joined for an initial fee of £10k, which could rise to £38k if Lal achieves everything that Oanase hopes he can - Tavita has a couple of seasons of experience at this level and was known to be looking for a bigger club. He joins Cook Islands international Maro Bonsu-Maro at the club. Maro is a Kiwi dual national who can play on the right-hand side or as a lone striker. Both Cristian Gutierrez and Marius Kago have been released after their contracts have expired, the gap has been filled with Joshua Makeche, a Zambian Centre Back who his national side has already capped. Finally, bolstered the Ba's Reserve and Development side are Chris Suldan, an 18yr old midfielder from Micronesia and Simon Kumar, a 20-year-old defender from Kiribati" Absolute dominance. That’s how you can describe the season that has just finished for Ba. 7 trophies. Across the season only 2 defeats – ironically these were against the sides that finished bottom and 2nd bottom in the league – but that’s an aside. Icki Lal from the Men in Black Supporters Group can provide this summary: Where do you start! Keeper? Okay. Mohammed Alam is just dependable, a calming presence at the back. Fiji’s No.1. 7 clean sheets in the first 7 games meant that the league title was all but won at the half-way stage. In total in the league, we conceded 6 goals – less than 0.5 per game. Before the opposition got to the goal, they had to get past the cosmopolitan defence - Left Back, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy (Vietnam), Right Back, Eduardo Anderson (Panama), and Centre Halves, Carlos Júnior (Mozambique) and Joshua Makeche (Zambia) are an incredible force – power, pace, strength, technical ability. All 4 are regular at the international level and all could be considered too good for the level. This quartet have kept the locals out of the side – Centre Half, Inoke Turagalailai, Left Back, Abdul Lal and all-around option Rusiate Khan would walk into most sides first elevens. Out wide on the left, Jope Lal had a decent year – 7 assists, and 2 goals from 36 games, but he was outperformed by the right-wing play of Cook Islander Maro Bonsu-Maro, his 7 goals, and 6 assists were a real highlight. Bonsu-Maro kept local lad Sairusi Nalaubu in reserve – but he still managed 5 goals, and 5 assists from 18 appearances. These goal contributions paled into insignificance when compared to what the front players did. Destaing Sikoula went to Saudi Arabia after the OCL was secured – he got 14 in 22, the fact that his departure was barely noticed was because two local Fijians just went mental. Kevin Dutt 21 in 28, and Malakai Love-Semira, got 39 in 36. Solid Defence, Creative Wingers, Insane Strikers. Probably the only weakness in the side – the Defensive Midfielders. Granted they probably have very little to do as the back 4 are all very good with the ball at their feet for distribution and don’t let anything past them. Mosese Lal, Tevita Lal, Thomas Dunn, and Kiwi, Jake Debenham were all rotated but none shone. The club has high hopes for Mohammed Ram, at 17, he has plenty of time on his hands to progress, he made 6 appearances this year, and the hope is he can cement his place in the squad next year. This squad doesn’t need much, and it’s probably questionable what more Oanase can achieve in Fiji. The man himself has talked about being seen as a Legend by the faithful – despite his success, I don’t think we the fans have truly warmed to his approach yet. We like him as a person but he certainly isn’t an Icon or Legend yet. He has also talked about becoming the most successful manager in the contentint – a Kiwi newspaper attributed points to trophies and worked out that he is 2nd on the Hall of Fame behind the legendary Auckland City manager Ramon Tribulietx who won 7 straight OCLs. World clubs with bigger reputations will be keeping keen eyes on the squad. We lost Sikoula and Love-Semira was courted by the same side at the same sort of time. He has 1 year left on his deal and at 23 might be thinking about going bigger before returning home later in his career. With the financial resources and Oanase’s love for obscure nations, there is confidence that any players are replaceable. So it looks like Victor has a couple of missions left in Fiji: Become the greatest manager in the Continent Become a Club Legend of Ba It may take him a couple of seasons, or maybe longer, but Victor is more than happy to kick back and keep winning!

A tale of two halves A strong start, a poor finish Two in the bush is worth one in the beak Whatever tired cliché you want to use this was what Victor has had to deal with. A treble and then nearly losing his job. Before we start the actual season, this snippet from the "Ba Boys" Blog, previews the new additions from last year. The club has made significant changes with the introduction of several new signings in various positions. Rusiate Khan, an 18-year-old central defender from Suva, joins the squad, along with Mohammed Alam, a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Rewa who is recognized as Fiji's top choice in goalkeeping. Inoke Turagalailai, a 22-year-old central defender from Suva, was acquired for an initial fee of £10,000, potentially rising to £45,000. Lionel Thanaena, a 23-year-old striker from New Caledonia, adds firepower to the front line, while 17-year-old Viliame Chandra comes in as a right-back from Nadroga. Jarvis Filimalae, a 21-year-old striker from Samoa, and Carlos Junior, an 18-year-old central defender from Mozambique, further bolster the squad. Kevin Dutt, a 19-year-old striker from Navua, completes the list of new signings. Additionally, former player Mau Penisula has rejoined the club as a scout, demonstrating his loyalty. However, it's worth noting that the signing of the new goalkeeper, Mohammed Alam, led to a significant dispute with last season's number one, Isikeli Kumar. For the positives we will look at this news article from the Fijian Football Chronicle: "Ba win Champions League for the First Time! Our heroes, the Men in Black, were victorious in the Oceanic Champions League and in doing so became the first Fijian side to claim that honour. Normally a New Zealand strong hold, they had to squeeze past both Kiwi sides. In the group were holders Birkenhead from New Zealand, AS Venus from Tahiti, and Tafea from Vanuatu, however Ba managed to qualify as the top teams in their group, with a draw against Birkenhead and victories in the other two games. The Quarter Finals saw a trip to the Solomon Islands, which resulted in a routine victory. The mighty force of Auckland City - a side that has won the trophy more times than anyone else - and after the leg in Auckland, the hosts were 2 goals to the good. HOWEVER, this Ba side are made of strong stuff, thanks to goals from Roonui Tehau (a DOUBLE) and one from Destaing Sikoula secured the most fantastic turn-around. The final was a much calmer affair (lol...) - Sairusi Nalaubu gave Ba a 31st-minute lead, but they were pegged back a minute later. The match went into extra time and eventually to penalties, where Ba emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline, securing their first Champions League title. Following their victory, Ba entered the Club World Championships and faced Keonbuk Hyundai Motors from South Korea in the Preliminary Round. Unfortunately, they lost 3-2 after extra time but gained £200,000 from their adventure to the far east. Alas, the negative angle… Ba's season was a mixed bag of results and performances. While they secured a commendable second-place finish in the Premier League, their journey in the Battle of the Giants and the Inter-District Championships was halted in the semi-finals. One noticeable pattern was Ba's difficulty in overcoming Navua, as they faced them five times and only managed to secure one victory, which was in the final of the FA Cup. Navua's triumph in the league by a narrow two-point margin underscores their competitiveness. Ba were favourites and looking at their squad, they would be very disappointed to finish as low as they did. Navua outperformed them at nearly every opportunity. The primary issue for Ba during the season was their struggles in front of goal. Despite Destaing Sikoula's impressive tally of 18 goals, the team often found it challenging to score enough to win matches, resulting in five draws out of 14 games. On a brighter note, Sairusi Nalaubu, the right winger and Fijian international, had a stellar season, sweeping up the Player of the Year awards. One promising development was the emergence of academy graduate Carter Taverner, who was named the young player of the year. His standout moment was a memorable hat-trick against Nasinu in the Battle of the Giants Group Stage. To address the goal-scoring issue, Ba has made an important acquisition in Fijian Malakai Love-Semira, who comes with experience from Australian Football. His two goals in the last league game of the season have raised hopes for an improved attacking performance in the upcoming season, giving Ba supporters reasons to be optimistic. Why is he still in Fiji? Well taking this quote from his chairman – “Currently we see Victor as one of our Favourite People, not yet an Icon and certainly has a lot of work to do before we consider him a Legend”. Victor’s response? Not printable. It seems like Victor might be close to falling out with someone. Consider the fact he has been in Fiji for 4 whole seasons now, it does seem overdue.

Hello my Valients, it looks like our hero, Victor Oanase, has had a successful 12 months in Fiji. I've been able to find the usual end-of-season review piece, this time from Fiji's version of 4-4-2 - inventively called "Fiji 442" Ba FC embarked on a roller-coaster journey this season that saw them rise above the odds, making headlines not only for their on-field heroics but also for their significant player departures. In a season where departures outnumbered takeoffs at Manchester Airport, Ba FC managed to conquer the odds and emerge as champions. The season kicked off with a flurry of player exits, leaving many wondering how the team would cope with such a mass exodus. However, amidst the departures, Ba FC managed to secure a trio of promising talents, headlined by Marius Kago, a French Guinean Centre Back with three full international caps. Thomas Dunn, a Fijian Centre Mid, and Hemaloto Polovili, a Tongan Striker, joining. Dunn had a very good year, 3 goals, 2 assists from the DM position, and an average rating of 7, he was also capped 10 times for the national side. At only 21 he will improve. Hemaloto Polovili's journey with the team had a rocky start, but he soon made a remarkable turnaround by achieving the Oanase Trifector in just his fifth game. He peaked here and was rarely seen again. The Fijian football league proved to be a tough nut to crack, with just 14 games to secure glory. A couple of poor results could make a massive difference, and draws against Lautoka and Nadi put immense pressure on the team. However, Ba FC's resilience and determination were evident as they soldiered on. In May, the club secured Oanase to a one-year contract extension. The signing of Sairusi Nalaubu, who had an impressive record of 10 goals in 19 appearances for the Fiji national side, proved to be pivotal in bolstering the attacking prowess of the team. The signing of Nalaubu, alongside Roonui Tehau, the Tahitian Attacking Midfielder, and Destaing Sikoula, the Congolese Striker, proved to be valuable additions and were seen by most experts as statements of intent. Their contributions played a pivotal role in securing victory in the Battle of the Giants Cup, with Ba FC defeating Rakiraki 2-0 in the final. The Fijian FA Cup journey was nothing short of a nail-biter. Ba FC faced a daunting task when they found themselves trailing 3-0 at halftime against Lautoka in the semifinals. However, their remarkable comeback, clinching a 4-3 victory after extra time, left fans in awe. In the transfer market, Ba FC also made strategic moves, including the sale of Faazil Ali and Malakai Rere to Suva, bolstering their finances and team strength. The league title race went down to the wire, and Ba FC had to better the result of Navua on the final day of the season. It was Destaing Sikoula who emerged as the hero with a double that secured victory. In a twist of fate, Navua stumbled, leading to Ba FC being crowned champions. In a season marked by adversity, departures, and nail-biting moments, Ba FC showcased their indomitable spirit and resilience. They proved that it's not just about the departures, but also about the arrivals and the unwavering determination to achieve success. The championship win was a fitting reward for their hard work and perseverance, cementing their legacy as one of Fiji's football giants. Ba FC fans will savour this triumph for years to come, a testament to their unwavering support and belief in their beloved club. In the end-of-season Inter-District Championship, it was the youth that stole the show, Carter Taverner, a 15-year-old Attacking centre-mid, scored a double on debut. Claude Aru, a Vanuatan Defensive Mid, struck the vital penalty in a MoTM performance to get Ba to the final, he completed the trifecta for the nation too. Ultimately the campaign ended in defeat in the final, but 3 out of 4 trophies is pretty good for most, but maybe not for the manager. The final word, as it often is, is left for Victor - when asked if he was happy with the success he achieved this season - "No, we've delivered expectation. When you cook toast, you don't celebrate when the toaster pops do you? The toaster did its job. And that is all. We are pleased to be in the O-League next year. Success in that direction is what we want" Perhaps the most interesting development in the last 12 months has been the fact that Victor hasn't seemingly fallen out with anyone or moved to a new club! He seems optimistic about the Oceanic Champions League. So are we.

Well, my fellow Valients. It's been about 12 months since we last checked in on our great hero Victor Oanase. But where has he been? Knowing Victor, there are plenty of places. I've been able to find a season preview for Rakiraki ahead of their season in the Fijian Super League As the Fijian football season kicks off, all eyes are on Rakiraki as they make their debut at the top level of Fijian football in the Fijian Super League. Promoted from the second tier, Rakiraki faces the daunting task of competing in four major competitions this season: the Fijian Super League, the Fijian FA Cup, the Fijian Battle of the Giants, and the Fijian Interdistrict Championship. The team's journey into uncharted territory is met with both excitement and apprehension. Rakiraki FC enters the Fijian Super League season as heavy underdogs, with bookmakers offering odds of 800-1 for them to win the league title. Despite their promotion, many pundits have already labelled them as favourites for relegation. The odds may be stacked against them, but this newly promoted team is determined to prove the doubters wrong. One of the biggest challenges facing Rakiraki, this season is the departure of several key performers from last season. Savenaca Adronu, a dependable left-back, has left the club, leaving a void in the defensive line. Elvis Raju, who provided depth as a reserve striker, has also departed. The team will miss the services of Saimoni Nabogi, their first-choice goalkeeper, and the experience of Ronald Dutt, a veteran midfielder. Additionally, Mau Penisula, the Tuvalu right midfielder, has retired. Rakiraki FC has been active in the transfer market to address these departures and bolster their squad, bringing in a mix of experienced players and promising talents. From overseas, Stephen Kwaite'e from the Solomon Islands joins as a striker, as does Sylvain Worworbu, from Vanuatu, and Taia Tamerua, from Kiribati, and they hope to add attacking options in the final third. Lester James, hailing from Micronesia, strengthens the centre of the defence. Oanase hopes these players can complete the trifactor of Playing, Scoring and Getting the MoTM award. From closer to home, Epeli Loaniceva, an experienced goalkeeper, provides stability in the back and will compete with Jason Rokovucake, a young and promising shot-stopper. Defensively, Vilimone Baleilevuka, a veteran left-back, will provide experience in the backline, Asaeli Tunidau will provide additional stability as a centre-back. In midfield, Atunaisa Livanalagi, a physical winger, adds a dynamic presence on the left, similarly on the right, Abdul Farid provides that service, and in the centre, Oanase can now call upon, Leisari Qalica, Ratu Simione Rage or Amena Bolaitamana to provide defensive cover for the wide boys. who can be a creative force and Samuela Gavo, versatile in both the right-wing and striker positions. Malakai Rere, on loan from Ba, brings promise and potential to the squad. Scott Lal-Warra Predictive Finish: 8th Next up in the treasure trove of Google (and other search engines...) SHOCK HORROR!!! Victor is on the move!! Ba FC Welcomes Victor Oanase as New Manager on Two-Year Deal In a major development in Fijian football, Ba, has announced the appointment of Victor Oanase as their new manager. Oanase joins Ba after a successful stint with Rakiraki, where he guided the team to a commendable third position in the Fijian Super League after five games. The coach has signed a two-year deal with Ba FC, signalling a new era for the club. During his time at Rakiraki, Victor Oanase has become a sought-after figure in Fijian football, as he guided the part-timers into the Super League via the Play-Offs last season, in 22 games with a 59%-win percentage. Speaking about his move to Ba, Victor Oanase expressed his excitement about the challenge of positioning the club within the Champions League picture by the end of the season, even though they sit in the relegation zone after 6 games. He said "They approached me, they chose me, they needed me. When challenge phones, I answer. I am an ambitious person, and I want to be competing in the Champions League, I will be disappointed if this doesn’t happen this season”. Under Oanase's leadership this season, Rakiraki has made a strong start with a number of good results, including a 4-0 win over Labasa, and a 3-0 win over his new employers. Victor was also able to tick off the Solomon Islands as Stephen Kwaite’e scored a double against Labasa, taking home the MoTM award in the process. Sylvain Worworbu, who scored an impressive four goals in as many games before making the decision to move back to Vanuatu, however never got the MoTM so Vanuatu is still up for grabs. As Rakiraki FC embarks on their first season at this level, they face an uphill battle to prove their worth. The departure of key players has been a setback, but the club's proactive approach in the transfer market shows their commitment to compete at the top level. While they may be favourites for relegation, they are determined to embrace the challenges and seize the opportunities that come their way. The journey is uncertain, but it promises to be a season filled with excitement and anticipation as Rakiraki FC strives to make their mark in Fijian football and finally a look back on how that season ended for Ba. Ba FC's Rollercoaster Season: Near Misses, Glorious Victories, and Struggles Aplenty Ba’s 2023 season was a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows, as the Fijian side battled through a series of competitions and welcomed new talents into their squad. While they managed to secure some notable achievements, they also faced their fair share of setbacks, leaving fans with mixed emotions at the end of the campaign. In the league, Ba FC managed to finish third, narrowly missing out on the top spot. It was a commendable effort, especially considering their position at the bottom of the table earlier in the season. However, going into the final day, a victory and results going their way would have meant the title or even an OCL spot. Ultimately a draw meant that they missed out on all. One silver lining of the season was Ba FC's victory in the Fijian Inter-District Championship. This triumph, which came at the end of the season, showcased their potential as several of the fringe youngsters were given opportunities to show what they could do. However, despite individual successes, Ba FC faced several disappointments in major tournaments. In the FA Cup, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Lautoka, and a similar fate awaited them in the Battle of the Giants, where they fell to Rewa in the semi-finals, ultimately losing on penalties. In terms of Victor’s self-imposed challenges.. 2 nations were completed – Papua New Guinean Raymond Gunemba, who has now retired from professional football at the tender age of 37, and Nicaraguan Centre Back Cristian Gutierrez. Gutierrez got the deciding goal in the semi-finals of the Fijian Inter-District Championship. MJ Faoa-Danielson, an American Samoan striker, was another noteworthy addition to the squad, joining from Ilaoa & To'omata, he however has so far fired on all cylinders so this is a nation that is still to be completed. Victor raided Rakiraki and pouched young stopper Jason Rokovucake, and he became the first person to play for Victor at 2 clubs. The star man was Kini Madigi, the right-winger who managed two goals and provided eight assists. However, questions lingered about whether his performances alone were enough to carry the team to glory. This Ba squad is expensively assembled, and questions need answering as to the future of some of them. Or to quote Victor Oanase directly when speaking at a fan’s forum – “You can’t polish turds, you flush them away. We have far too many turds that are blocking the pipes. Fortunately, I know a plumber”. In the end, Ba FC's season was a mixed bag of successes and shortcomings. The frustration expressed by the unnamed source in the closing quote suggests that the club has high expectations and aspirations, but there's a need to address the issues within the squad to turn those aspirations into reality. With the right adjustments and continued efforts, Ba FC could be well on their way to fulfilling their trophy-winning ambitions in the seasons to come. It certainly sounds like Victor is getting his teeth into things in Fiji - what will the next 12 months have in stall? Find out next time!