The match offers the rare chance of an international friendly for the two sides and Waitakere have plenty to play for as it marks the start of their build-up for the new ASB Premiership national competition.
Ba will also not be found wanting in the motivation department. They met the West Aucklanders in the 2007 O-League final and lost on away goals after the aggregate score was tied at 2-2.
They will be keen to avenge that defeat and there is also the not-so-small matter of a $5000 cheque being up for grabs for the winners.
The Ba team will arrive in Auckland on Friday and news of the trip has been welcomed in their homeland.
“It is great for the association that one of our local clubs is travelling overseas for a match,” Fiji Football Association competitions manager Jainendra Sukhu says.
The two teams are at opposite stages in their development and that is likely to give Ba an edge going into the match.
The ‘Men in Black’ are in the running to snatch the national title – an honour they last held in 2008 – from out of Lautoka’s grasp. They lie second in the table and need to win both of their remaining two matches to clinch the championship.
It will be their second trophy this season if they succeed – earlier they picked up the Fiji FACT title.
In contrast, Waitakere have only just begun their preparations for the upcoming ASB Premiership and O-League seasons and have been training together for little more than a week.
It shouldn’t take long for Neil Emblen’s men to gel though.
There are few changes from the United squad who finished runners-up in this year’s O-League but coach Emblen will welcome back hard-working central midfielder Chris Bale after the Welshman spent a season in Wellington.
Former All White Brent Fisher, now based in Melbourne, and Solomon Islands star Benjamin Totori are the only high-profile losses, and their departures will give youngsters Dakota Lucas and Ryan de Vries an early chance to press for a regular spot.
Emblen will continue to stay involved as a player but has already indicated he is likely to limit his game time this season, opening the door for further opportunities for the squad’s youngsters.
The $5000 Challenge between Waitakere United and Ba kicks off at 3pm at Bill McKinlay Park, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.