Defending Digicel Fiji FACT champions Container Haulage PTE Ltd/ Extra Supermarket/ All Freight Logistics Suva will be without five key players when the tournament gets underway at the HFC Bank Stadium on Friday.

Speaking to SUNsports on Tuesday, Suva head coach Babs Khan said they would be missing the services of Azaraiah Soromon, Alex Saniel, Marlon Tahioa, Simione Nabenu and veteran defender Remueru Tekiata.

“Tekiata is sick and is rested,” Khan said.

Soromon and Saniel are currently with the Vanuatu national football team for their international matches as well as Tahioa who is with the Solomon Islands national side.

Despite this, Khan has included Tahioa and Tekiata in his Fiji FACT 22-member squad.

Khan said Nabenu has returned to New Zealand where he is based.

“We’re fortunate that defender Joeli Ranitu is now training with us for the Fiji FACT. Also, we’ve got capable players on the bench who could step-up and fill these positions.”

The wily coach said as defending champions, they would be the target of every team in the competition.

‘We came back from the Champions League and last week we did not train because of the bad weather. We had our first training run together at the USP (University of South Pacific) ground early this week.”

Khan said their immediate goal is to beat Hyperchem Pharmacy Lautoka in their Group A opening clash on Friday.

“We’ve to win out first game. Lautoka is not an easy team and it won’t be an easy game for us.”

Suva will also take on Rooster Chicken Ba and giantkillers Rivertubing Fiji/ Koromakawa Rentals & Tours Navua in their group matches.

Story by: Leone Cabenatabua  – leonec@fijisun.com.fj