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Nadi will throw the kitchen sink at us:Babs Khan – FBC News
Putting together a team for the FMF Inter District Championship in eight days is not an excuse for Power Volt Suva. Some of the regulars in the Extra Premier League are not available for Suva in this IDC. Head coach Babs Khan says they’re content with the one point they got out of the game against 4R Electric Lautoka yesterday. Article continues after advertisement However, he believes today’s game against Nadi is an important one. Khans goes on to says that both teams are under a lot of pressure with Nadi losing yesterday and Suva having a draw. The Suva mentor also says that Nadi will throw the kitchen sink at them. The first Super Premier match kicks off at 2pm with Power Vault Suva and AAAK & Esy Kool Air Conditioning Nadi followed by Stratum Construction Rewa and Navua at 4pm. 4R Electric Lautoka meets ExtraSupermarket Labasa in the third game at 6pm before Ba wraps up the competition today against PartlinkAutomotive/Star Pools/Manasa Export/Equipment Express Nadroga at 8pm.All Super Premier games live commentaries will air on Radio Fiji 2. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Super League Man of Steel award won by Leeds half-back Jake Connor
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Leeds half-back Jake Connor has been crowned the Super League Man of Steel for 2025. The 30-year-old pipped Wigan’s Jai Field and last year’s winner Mikey Lewis of Hull KR to become the first Leeds player to win the award since Zak Hardaker in 2015. Connor enjoyed an outstanding first season at Headingley having initially been drafted in as a utility player in the Rhinos’ spine. Capitalising on injuries to the likes of Lachlan Miller and Matt Frawley, Connor firmly established himself at stand-off and had a huge impact on his club’s return to the play-offs after a two-year absence. He finished as the league’s third-top points scorer with 181, including seven tries and 76 goals, and summoned 30 assists. Wigan’s Eva Hunter was named Woman of Steel after their historic treble-winning campaign while St Helens centre Harry Robertson was crowned young player of the year.
NFL: Dallas Cowboys owner Jones fined $250,000 for ‘obscene gesture’
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been fined, external $250,000 (£186,000) by the National Football League for making an obscene gesture towards fans on Sunday. The 82-year-old was caught on camera raising his middle figure at the crowd during the Cowboys’ 37-22 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. But Jones says he intended to put his thumb up instead, and was signalling to his own supporters – not those of the Jets. “That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out in front – not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. “There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that. I just put up the wrong show on the hand. That was inadvertently done. “I’m not kidding. If you want to call it accidental, you can call it accidental. But it got straightened around pretty quick. “The intention was ‘thumbs up’, and basically pointing at our fans because everybody was jumping up and down.” Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 (£223,000) for throwing a drink on fans during the 2023 season, while then Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 (£186,000) in 2009 for gesturing at Buffalo Bills fans.
Arsenal Women rue defensive errors as Champions League holders start campaign with defeat
Arsenal Women rue defensive errors as Champions League holders start campaign with defeat
Win at all cost mindset for Ba in opening game – FBC News
The opening game in previous tournaments haven’t been going their way, but the RC Manubhai Ba side made sure that wasn’t the case last night in their opening FMF Inter District Championship match against a tough Vantex Solutions Navua outfit at Govind Park. This is one of the reasons Ba Director of Football, Rodeck Singh, says it was important to get the three points on offer in the first game. “We knew we need the 3 points, we knew we had to win, we have to win to keep our campaign alive and more smoother and win at all cost.” Article continues after advertisement Ba defeated Navua 2-nil with both goals in the second half from Vilitati Kautoga and Etonia Dogolau. Yesterday 6,055 fans turned up on day one and Singh says they need to bring back the glory days to Ba and one way to do it is in front of families, friends and fans at home. “We knew this is a festival here for us, we’re enjoying the moment and at the same time we know there’s a task ahead of us to bring back the glory to Ba, bring back the glory at your home ground, and the boys are taking the day as it comes.” Day two starts at 11am today with the Premier Division game between Tavua and Nasinu. The first Super Premier match kicks off at 2pm with Power Vault Suva and AAAK & Esy Kool Air Conditioning Nadi followed by Stratum Construction Rewa and Navua at 4pm. 4R Electric Lautoka meets Extra Supermarket Labasa in the third game at 6pm before Ba wraps up the competition today against PartlinkAutomotive/Star Pools/Manasa Export/Equipment Express Nadroga at 8pm. All Super Premier games live commentaries will air on Radio Fiji 2. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
‘I wouldn’t play Mbokazi as a defender’ – Ex PSL star
Former Moroka Swallows star Andries ‘Chaka-Chaka’ Mpondo feels Orlando Pirates top defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is being played out of position. The 20-year-old centre-back made his professional debut earlier this year but he is already regarded as the league’s best defender. In less than 30 matches, the man known as ‘TLB’ has not only led the Buccaneers to MTN8 triumph but is also a key member of the Bafana Bafana squad. Speaking to KickOff, Mpondo compared Mbokazi to another Pirates legend Mbulelo Mabizela. “Mbokazi is the best player in the PSL right now, and he is destined for greatness. He reminds me of Mbulelo Mabizela. I hope he remains humble and continues to play good football,” he said. “As a coach, I wouldn’t play him as a defender. Mbokazi belongs in midfield – he has a strong football mind and is physically strong. He excels at marking, creating opportunities, and passing the ball effectively. The ex-Swallows star said if he was a coach at Pirates, he would switch Mbokazi to central or defensive midfield. The youngster scored a long-range goal against Siwelele this past weekend in the Carling Knockout Cup. Mbokazi is not only a key player for Pirates but for Bafana “He is a complete player. I would position him in midfield and give him a free role to both defend and attack,” Mpondo added. “I feel he is currently being used incorrectly, but perhaps the coach prefers him as a centre-back because he helps defensively and is comfortable playing there, consistently performing well.” With Pirates having at least four quality centre-backs, Abdeslam Ouaddou can maybe try to switch Mbokazi to a midfield position to see how he would cope. The tough defender is expected to do battle for Bafana Bafana against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers this coming days. Should TLB change position?
Arsenal vs Lyon live: Gunners begin Women’s Champions League defence against French titans
Arsenal 1-2 Lyon 40 mins: Dumornay curls in a cross from deep in the direction of Katoto but it’s deflected away and Arsenal immediately counter… Maanum’s cross is slightly aimless and Lyon clear. The crowd are still in fine voice, willing their side back into this. (Action Images via Reuters) Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:42 Arsenal 1-2 Lyon 35 mins: Bacha has a cross deflected behind for a corner and it pinballs around for a bit before Chawinga thumps it over the bar. The crowd have been very vocal tonight but the booing is especially loud for Lyon’s Shrader, who has previously come under fire for some anti-LGBTQ+ social media posts and likes. Mead is next into the book for protesting a slightly over-enthusiastic challenge on Tarciane; the booking is for dissent rather than the challenge. Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:37 Arsenal 1-2 Lyon 27 mins: Arsenal are desperate to make amends and throw bodies into the box… Endler makes a diving save from Caldentey’s half-volley, the Spaniard attempting to put matters right after she was closed down for Lyon’s second goal. Dumornay hooks a leg around Mead and gets a telling off for bringing her down. Now Kelly blasts over the bar. Chances for both teams, but a little sloppy now. (Getty Images) Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:29 GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Lyon 23 mins: Dreadful. Van Domselaar plays a pass out of the box and Lyon pounce on it immediately, playing it forward to Dumornay, and the Haiti international has a second, thumping it past the keeper. Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:25 Arsenal 1-1 Lyon 22 mins: That is a terrible error by van Domselaar. Dumornay has another chance shortly after as Lyon cross to her at the back post, but her header is knocked behind by Fox for a corner. Quick penalty check for handball by Fox… Arsenal get a reprieve. Dicey, dicey moments for the hosts. Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:24 GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Lyon 18 mins: Oh dear. Catastrophic defending from Arsenal and Meadow Park is utterly silent. Catley plays a back-pass to Domselaar, who attempts to play it back, but Dumornay easily cuts in instead. Her first attempt ricochets off the keeper but as she’s left on the turf the Haitian gets the rebound with ease. So poor. Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:21 Arsenal 1-0 Lyon 16 mins: There’s a bit of needle to this one already, some fairly robust challenges. Endler plays with fire a little as a short back-pass nearly catches her off guard with Russo looking to pounce, but she clears! (Getty Images) Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:18 Arsenal 1-0 Lyon 13 mins: That was a peach of a pass from Mead, who dug deep despite being surrounded by Lyon shirts to force the ball forward and through to Russo. Arsenal have started with real intent but Lyon haven’t let their heads drop. Shrader fizzes a low cross across the box but Dumornay’s attempt is a bit wild, taking a nick off Kelly as it flies over the bar. Lyon win a couple of corners in succession but both are eventually dealt with, a fan catching Dumornay’s attempt to jeers. (Getty Images) Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:15 GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Lyon 7 mins: The volume kicks up a notch as Mead floats down the left channel, cutting it back for Maanum in the box, but the visitors clear… Not far enough though! Mead isn’t daunted, she comes again, and Russo is perfectly positioned to latch onto her forward pass and slot into the bottom corner. Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:09 Arsenal 0-0 Lyon 6 mins: VAR is in action tonight, as it is across the Women’s Champions League. Let’s see if we need it… Referee Maria Ferrieri Caputi gets her book out early as Catley is fouled right in front of both managers’ technical areas. It’s a poor challenge, Katoto stamping on her foot, and she sees yellow. (Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Flo Clifford7 October 2025 20:07
FMF IDC 2025 Kicks Off in Style at Govind Park
The 2025 FMF IDC opened with excitement, goals, and standout performances at Govind Park in Ba as all eight Super Premier teams took to the field. Stratum Construction Rewa FC sent an early warning to the rest of the competition with a commanding 6-0 victory over Nadroga FC. Star striker John Orobulu stole the show with four goals and was deservedly named the FMF Player of the Match. Josaia Sela added a brace to cap off a dominant performance for the Delta Tigers. Defending champions Extra Supermarket Labasa FC began their campaign on a winning note, edging AAAK/Esy Kool Nadi FC 1-0. Christopher Wasasala scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute and was later honoured with the FMF Player of the Match Award for his efforts. The third fixture ended in a 1-1 draw between 4R Electric Lautoka FC and Power Volt Suva FC. Gagame Feni converted a 28th-minute penalty for Suva, but Shazil Ali equalised for Lautoka in the 40th minute. In a competitive encounter, Lautoka’s Simione Nabenu was recognised as the FMF Player of the Match. Host side RC Manubhai Ba FC claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Valtex Solutions Navua FC in the final match of the day. Vilitati Kautoga and Etonia Dogalau put Ba ahead before Navua were reduced to 10 men following Simione Damuni’s red card. Despite a late strike from Manav Permal (89’), Ba held firm. Iliasa Naiyasi of Ba was named the FMF Player of the Match for his contribution. Day One Recap – Results & FMF Player of the Match Rewa 6-0 Nadroga – John Orobulu 🏆 Labasa 1-0 Nadi – Christopher Wasasala 🏆 Lautoka 1-1 Suva – Simione Nabenu 🏆 Ba 2-1 Navua – Iliasa Naiyasi 🏆 With a roaring crowd of over 6,000 spectators creating a vibrant atmosphere at Govind Park, Day One of the FMF IDC 2025 delivered everything fans could have hoped for – goals, drama, and standout performances. The stage is now set for more thrilling battles as the tournament continues.
Kadavu secure first-ever Skipper Cup spot – FBC News
Source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook Kadavu has made history by qualifying for next year’s Skipper Cup for the first time ever, following a hard-fought 18-13 victory over Taveuni in the Vodafone Vanua Trophy semifinal at the HFC Bank Stadium today. Trailing 10-7 at halftime, Kadavu showed resilience in the second spell despite Taveuni extending their lead to 13 points. The turning point came in the 70th minute, when captain Vaione Tegu powered through the Taveuni defense to score the decisive try, putting Kadavu ahead for the first time. Article continues after advertisement Fullback Savenaca Durusolo sealed the result with a successful 80th-minute penalty, sparking emotional celebrations among the Kadavu players and fans. The victory not only sends Kadavu into the Vanua Trophy final, where they will meet Navosa, but also confirms their promotion to the 2026 Skipper Cup, marking a monumental moment in the union’s rugby history. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.