Defending champions of the Rooster Chicken National Club Championships, the Civic football side of Suva knows it won’t be easy defending their title.

Coach Gurjit Singh says the heat in the Western Division will take its toll on his players but adds he has an experienced squad that has the capabilities of lifting the title for the second year in a row.

There are major injury concerns for the team except for Tomasi Tuicakau who is sick but is expected to recover before the finals playoffs this weekend.

Civic is pooled with last year’s losing finalist, Namaka FC of Nadi as well as 4R Electrical of Ba and FC City United of Lautoka.

Pool 2 features Lokia United of Rewa, Bureta FC of Suva, Nakasi Lions of Rewa and Chelsea FC of Nasinu.

The NCC shifts to Govind Park in Ba with games to begin on Friday and the final will be played at 4pm on Sunday.

You can catch the live commentary of the final on Radio Fiji Two with the voice of soccer Raymond Stoddart.