The Ba football team have an­nounced their 23-member squad to the OFC Champions League later this month.

The Western giants kick-off this year’s campaign on February 23 against defending champions, Team Wellington, in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Former Nadi defender Ilimotama Jese is a notable inclusion in the squad, made up mostly of local-based players, including the experienced Malakai Tiwa and Avinesh Suwamy.

Ba’s only foreign player is the 19-year-old Solomon Islander for­ward Darold Kakasi.

Amena Bolaitamana, Kini Madigi, Simione Nabenu and Kalaveti Sivoi, four of the five national Under-23 triallists allegedly assaulted by head coach Christophe Gamel, have also been included.

Team manager, Arvind Singh, says the morale in camp was high ahead of their first match at Korman Sta­dium.

“Wellington will be a tough oppo­nent but we have beaten New Zea­land teams in the past so it will de­pend on the mindset of the boys on the day,” Singh said.

“The players have been working hard in training and the combina­tions seems to be clicking and the confidence is high.

“If we play to our strengths, yes, we can make the semi-finals or even fur­ther but we are taking one game at a time.”

The team will be coached by former player Ronil Kumar, with Shailend Lal as his assistant.

Before the team fly out on February 21, Suva lies in wait in the Vodafone Premier League this Sunday.

Singh says Ba will use the match, scheduled for 3PM at the ANZ Sta­dium, as the perfect build-up for the Champions League.

“Suva have a good set of players and will be a solid test for us,” he said.

BA 23-MEMBER SQUAD FOR THE OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

1. Avinesh Suwamy
2. Manasa Nawakula
3. Sakaraia Naisua
4. Amena Bolaitamana
5. Kishan Sami
6. Kini Madigi
7. Simione Nabenu
8. Kalaveti Sivoi
9. Savenaca Nakalevu
10. Abbu Zahid
11. Mohammed Shazil
12. Darold Kakasi
13. Malakai Tiwa
14. Malakai Rakula
15. Narendra Rao
16. Ilimotama Jese
17. Josaia Ratu
18. Atunaisa Naucukidi
19. Misiwane Nairube
20. Kaliova Dau
21. Saula Waqa
22. Suliano Tawanakoro
23. Sitiveni Cavuilagi

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback: sheldon.chanel@fijisun.com.fj