Lautoka defender, 21 year old Tavualevu native Malakai Waqa won’t forget the afternoon of 12th October 2008 for a very long time.

It was the day he became a hero and will go down as a legend in the annals of the Lautoka’s football history books.

As this was the day he scored the winning and only goal against Fiji Football giants Ba at Govind Park in front of a capacity crowd.

The soft spoken University of Fiji student helped his side wrestle the 70th Inter District Championship Lloyd Farebrother Cup away from the hands of the champions plus the $15,000 first prize money.

The feat the former Tavua College student says will always remain close to his heart and will cherish for a very long time.

The solidly built Waqa scored in the 40th minute of play when he rifled a loose ball in mid air and scored some 20 meters out to stun Ba goalie Jone Sorolo, opponents, his team mates and the home crowd who watched in awe as the Blues celebrated minutes later.

“I didn’t expect to score and just took a chance and was freaked to see the net shaking and for a moment just couldn’t that I had scored the winner in the match, he said.

“I went on overlap to support my forwards and was in the clear so Nawatu and Jone Vono combined well and crossed the ball which I just slammed in at the first opportunity and it landed straight at the back of the net.

The former Fiji U20 rep who joined Lautoka from his home town district Tavua in 2006 sees the current Lautoka squad as the best one ever he has played with believes if the same players are retained then Lautoka will be a team to beat in future.

“Our officials are very considerate and caring and look after the welfare of the players very well and this keeps us focused and motivated.

“Take for example, the Lautoka officials assist me in my education at University Of Fiji and by scoring in the final, I have somewhat repaid them, Waqa smiling said.

Lautoka coach Dennis Singh spoke highly of Waqa saying that the lanky defender was a hard worker and often gives in his best in both training and on playing.

Shop and Save Lautoka fielded a star studded outfit in the four day tourney with the likes of Australian trio Ali Cem Akbal, Nikola Zonjic and Goran Subara and New Zealand based Peni Finau and Osea Vakatalesau.

The Blues were held 1-1 by Ba, beat Tavua 2-0, Nasinu 3-1 and sent Navua home after a 2-0 win in its final pool match to finish on top.

In the semifinal, the Jone Vono Junior captained side outclassed Nadi 2-0.

Fijilive

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