Northpole FC ready to defend NCC title

CAS Scale sponsored- Northpole Lions football club aim to defend the Dayals Sawmiller’s National Club Championship title despite being in the ‘group of death’.

The Labasa-based club is laced with senior Labasa football reps of Ashnil Raju, Akeimi Ralulu, Eparama Moraica and Rusiate Doidoi.

Lions manager, Gyan Deo, said yesterday they had a great season with many wins but they won’t underestimate their opponents.

Deo said they don’t know much about their opponents but they are from the districts of Rewa and Lautoka, who have always posed a threat to Labasa clubs.

He said every team would want to win the title this year, but, they had capable players to do the job again.

“We can’t have any slip-ups in the NCC,” he said.

The Lions defeated Legends FC of Taveuni in the Northern play-off to qualify for the NCC.

Deo said the morale in camp is high and said the bond among the players and officials would do wonders on the field.

He said they had good preparation for the NCC.

“We thank families of our players, sponsors (CAS Scale) and officials for guiding the team so far this season and we want a great Christmas with the NCC title in our cabinet,” he stressed.

He said creating a consistent winning culture was attributed to proper welfare of players during the season.

“We treated our players as important assets who can deliver wins and the NCC title,” he added.

Veteran striker joins Bula FC

Meanwhile, veteran Labasa striker Christopher Wasasala has signed up with Bula FC.

The 30-year-old is originally from Kia Island in Macuata.

Wasasala grew up and inspired by his late uncle, Simon ‘Maradona’ Peters, the legendary Lions finisher whose goals carved Labasa’s history, lifting the team to its first Inter-District Championship title in 1992 and many more triumphs.

That legacy lit the fire in Wasasala, shaping him into the fearless forward fans know today.

His journey began at Gurunanak Primary School in Labasa, continued through Khalsa College and Labasa Muslim College, and rose through the Labasa youth system. From there, his club career is a full map of Fijian football:

Labasa FC (2014), Fiji National Team (2015), Lautoka FC (2017), Labasa (2018), Suva FC (2019–2021), and Labasa again from 2022–2025.

Now, he’s ready for the next chapter.

“It’s always been my dream to become a professional. People have always known me as a Labasa player, but this contract gives me the chance to take a bigger step in my career,” Wasasala shared.

This move also brings him closer to his wife and kids in Ba as Wasasala has always resided in Labasa.

But he has made it clear that family time won’t distract him, as the Macuata man is aware of what is required from a professional setup.

Wasasala also leaves a message for young footballers in the country: “Be disciplined, work hard, and stay true to your goals. That’s how you make a name for yourself.”