Olympian Iosefo Verevou will not play in the INKK Mobile Battle of the Giants semifinal on Saturday at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori at 4pm.

Verevou copped yellow cards in two separate games against Suva and Dreketi in the pool stages.

“To have such a player of his calibre to not be in the team when his presence is needed the most is a real blow for us and will dampen our chances in our game against Lautoka,” Rewa coach Marika  Rodu said.

“I will need to change our strategy and shift players around in order to make up for his absence that just means players will now need to step up because Lautoka is a good team.

“Our focus at the start of the competition was to manage our way through the pool stages because the team had not played any real competitions together since some of the players had to prepare for the Olympics.

“However, despite the draw in our first game and the loss in our second, I’m pleased with our progress.

“The players have improved a lot and they really came through when it mattered.”

Facing a tough Lautoka side will not be an easy task and Rodu knows his side will be in for an uphill battle on the weekend.

“Out of the four teams who have qualified for the semifinals, Lautoka is the most in-form team, especially after their games against Labasa and Ba,” he said.

“They are the only team to win all three of their games and they absolutely deserve to be in the semifinals.

“It will definitely be an uphill battle for us but at the same time we will be giving it our best shot and try to secure a spot in that final.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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