The Labasa football team head coach Ravneel Pratap has highly rated his goalkeeper and cap­tain Akuila Mateisuva’s performance during the first round of the Digicel Premier League.

The national team goalkeeper’s performance in the DPL has raised many eyebrows this season because he has yet to concede a goal.

Pratap said Mateisuva’s rise to the top of the game was attributed to his selfless commitment and dedication to the team.

“Goalkeeping is one of the most important positions in a team and to have him playing in this position is a blessing for us,” he said.

Pratap said the player’s discipline and understand­ing of the team culture was a reflection of Mateisuva’s humble and down to earth personality.

“The calibre of player he is and the combination he has with the team is an added advantage for us”.

Pratap added that after every game, Mateisuva would thank all the players for helping him keep the goal safe.

In the new millennium, Mateisuva has been the most decorated Labasa player as he has guided the team to win nine out of the 11 Fiji Football Association (FFA) sanctioned tournaments.

Over the years, the sensational 29-year-old has played and rubbed shoulders alongside star players like Roy Krishna, Pita Bolaitoga, Maciu Dunadamu, Alvin Avinesh, Taniela Waqa, Ilaitia Tuilau, Samuela Kau­toga and Apisalome Turuva.

Labasa football have been renowned for producing top goalkeepers like Brian Simmons, Pelasio Tamanitoaku­la, Joeli Tadrau, Bai Waqailiti and Petero Namoce.

In the next round of the DPL, they host league ladders Lautoka at Subrail Park on the weekend of May 8-9.

The game would be played pending Government’s ap­proval and Fiji Football’s advice on the current COV­ID-19 situation.-

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua