Côte d’Or: from ‘Anba Koko’ to first division champions! |25 November 2013

Côte d’Or are the 2013 champions of the Barclays league division one

“Côte d’Or sa!” The Côte d’Or team with manager Robert Payet (far right)

Côte d’Or Football Club are the Barclays league division one champions 2013 and for the first time ever in Seychelles football, the first division cup has been won by a team from Praslin.

An exuberant Robert Payet, manager of Côte d’Or football club, has this to say: “Today I am simply overjoyed with a fantastic feeling I’ve never felt in my life before. Not just because we won the Barclays league division one title, but I can see so much joy in so many people’s eyes I’ve never seen before. And to have played a key role in realising that is a heart touching feeling.”

“It was six years ago that I took over the management of Côte d’Or football club on Praslin which at that time was an inner island league team called ‘Anba Koko’. I had one purpose only – and that was to help the team and so many guys at that time out of drugs and give them something to focus on. But after two years when we reached the second division football I started to realise the team’s potential.”

He continued expressing his joy by saying that never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that he would get so much support from the people of Praslin. Not only of Praslin but he is also amazed at the number of supporters the team have on Mahé and even some on La Digue.

“So many people want to help and are crazy about Côte d’Or it’s now becoming a big family. To see people cry after the team won the cup was too emotional to watch ... and this is also the most important factor that keeps me going,” said Mr Payet.

He also said that his parents and family are big fans of Côte d’Or though sometimes he tends to spend less time with them but they are supportive and very proud of the achievements.

Mr Payet also knows that Côte d’Or are a young team and have a long way to go. He therefore said that the coach and himself still need to work hard to teach the players the value of teamwork in football.

Mr Payet said that since the team moved to first division football they had always made progress. One thing he is happy about is that they have never lost two games in a row. To him it shows that when the team lose a game, they put the defeat behind them and come out stronger which shows the determination to succeed and to win.

Referring to the drive and ambition of the team to win, Mr Payet referred back to when it all started when Côte d’Or managed to reach the second division.

“It was hard in terms of focus and discipline but I also knew it was time to get serious. It was not easy to handle players who were used to playing football just for fun without any discipline. But having already dedicated so much of my time to the team, I didn’t want to give up. And the Seychelles Football Federation didn’t help much either and until now I feel so sad about it. They forced us to play a whole year on Mahé without any support. Financially it was very hard for me as manager but I had a vision and I knew that once the team move to first division, they will have to start respecting Côte d’Or. My players also believed in me and they know I am a man of my words and who does a lot of sacrifice for the team,” continued Mr Payet.

Mr Payet is the general manager of Le Duc de Praslin, the main sponsor of the team.

The manager of the Côte d’Or football club also pointed out that work and training are never easy but another one of his most appreciated things about his team is that all the players never miss training. He believes this is another strong reason for their success.

“We have a deduction policy from the players’ allowance if they fail training but no player has been penalised this year as there was no voluntary absenteeism. Ten players work at my hotel, Le Duc de Praslin, and this has facilitated training a lot even at times it is very difficult for the hotel especially when we have to play on Mahé. But we have a good supportive team of workers at Le Duc who replace the players when they are away and I would like to thank them for that,” said Mr Payet.

There are more good things coming for Côte d’Or football club before the year ends. The Raffles Hotel on Praslin is sponsoring their end-of-year party which is for players, committee members and sponsors. The manager thanks the hotel for that, noting that it has witnessed that the team is serious and therefore wants to be part in improving the life of youths on Praslin.

But that’s not all. On December 1, a family celebration has been planned at the Berjaya Beach on Praslin. And on December 7, the team are organising a snack and dance end-of-year party at the Oxygen Nightclub on Praslin for all Côte d’Or supporters, including those from Mahé and La Digue. Tickets will be R100 and the party will include prize-giving ceremonies and interesting raffle prizes.

“This will also be an opportunity to raise some funds for the team’s expenses for next year as well as for the African championships league tournament we are to take part in next year.

But it’s not just fun for the Côte d’Or team for the end of the year. Currently all players are on a week-long break but training starts Monday November 25 as the team need to start preparing for next year’s African adventure.

“We are all out to retain our title next year and gain other titles if possible. We are also eyeing one or two good players and will make our move and offer soon,” said the team’s manager.

Mr Payet concluded by thanking the Côte d’Or players for their commitment, his devoted committee members for supporting him, and the many loyal supporters and generous sponsors and the team of coaches for their discipline and hard work.

Côte d’Or played 18 matches in the Barclays league division one, won 14, drew , lost 2, with 41 goals for and 13 against for a total of 44 points.

 “Côte d’Or sa!”

Cote d'Or FC supporters