Up Close … with Don Anacoura, one of Seychelles’ greatest footballers |22 April 2014

‘Passion is the key to progress in any sport’

By Sedrick Nicette

It takes a lot of humility to admit that no matter where we get to in life, our community always plays a part. It moulds us, shapes us and of course with the help of our parents, raises us. Success however often strips us of the ability to accept that we owe a lot to the community. Something the person I chose for my Up Close column this week cannot be accused of lacking is the appreciation for what he has been given and he has chosen to give back recently.

From being named as one of the best students at his post-secondary institution years ago and captaining his country to a first gold medal in football at the 2011 Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), this footballer has proven himself to be one of the most consistent for both club and country, while continuing to show strong commitment to his community.

Local football fans will already know who I am referring to and if your answer was Don Anacoura you would be right. I decided to catch up with the former St Michel and Seychelles captain to get a deeper insight into what has made him such a determined individual.

Childhood and education

Born and raised in the sub-district of Maldives, Don has spent most of his life there ever since. He completed his primary education at Anse Etoile school, and continued there up to secondary three, when secondary students were moved to English River school. He was part of the last group of students who completed their secondary education at the National Youth Service (NYS) in 1998. He then went for his foundation year at the Seychelles Polytechnic before moving on to the School of Health to pursue laboratory technician studies for three years.

“I then started working at the Seychelles Hospital for a few years, until I moved to the Seychelles Petroleum Company (Sepec), where I’m still working,” said the outspoken Don.

Football: Beginnings

“Well, for me football is a part of my family as a lot of my relatives played football,” said Don.

“I used to spend my time with them where I learned more. There was a playing field at Anse Etoile which we called ‘Dan Gravye’, where I spent a lot of my time playing with the older kids.”

He also explained that to him football started when he was part of a small team who used to take part in mass sports events. A team he recalls was called ‘Galile’.

For most football fans, the name Don Anacoura only became popular when he started playing for the Sunshine football team. He explained that he was part of the CJSOI team who competed on home soil in 1999 and after that the under-19 was closed and he had to look for a new team.

“I was approached by St Michel and even Red Star, but as most of my relatives played for Sunshine I opted to sign for them,” he said.

Seychelles’ national team caretaker coach Ulrich ‘Keker’ Mathiot, who was the coach of Sunshine at the time, received a lot of praise from the midfielder.

“With ‘Keker’ as coach, I did not regret my decision as he is the ideal mentor for any young footballer,” said Don.

Despite winning many more silverware during his time with St Michel, Don described his time with Sunshine as very happy, as he was playing among friends and family. Don spent four years with Sunshine, earning his first call up to the national team while there as well.

Despite winning the Homemakers Cup – now known as the Intelvision Cup – with Sunshine, Don however decided to move on.

“Every year there were players who were quitting the club, including some of my relatives and along with the fact that we had not won anything in three years, I felt it was time to move on,” said Don.

St Michel

Undoubtedly, Don’s best moments as a footballer revolves around St Michel, as it is the club in which he has made a name for himself as one of the most consistent and disciplined attacking midfielders in the country.

“St Michel are a great club,” exclaimed Don. “If there are any young players who would approach me looking for a club to join, I would advise them to join St Michel. They are a much disciplined side and as players they make you more mature and also promote a winning mentality.”

Coach Ralph Jean-Louis, who recently earned himself a coaching 'A' license, is another who has been praised by Don, as he listed him among the best coaches he has worked with.

IOIG

One of the biggest moments in Don's football career is undoubtedly captaining the Seychelles national team to their first gold medal at the 2011 IOIG, a moment few Seychellois will ever forget.

“Just thinking about the moment when I was walking up the steps with my daughter in my arms to collect the trophy, seeing the joy of the supporters on the pitch was just an incredible moment,” said Don.

To be the leader of your country on the football field is surely a great honour, and Don recalls on being selected as the national team captain.

“I have always been an outspoken person, always saying how I feel about situations. Even when travelling with St Michel, I always spoke out when there were things I did not see right,” said the 32-year-old.

At the time of being appointed captain, Don was injured and when approached by the then national team head coach Ralph Jean-Louis, he was really surprised.

“I believe in the end I did repay the faith that the coach had put in me and I will always be happy for that,” he added.

He did suffer a bit of disappointment at the end of the IOIG however, when some squad members had a fall-out with the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) over reward for their performances during the games.

“I have actually forgotten that episode, but after you raised that question, I felt the federation failed to show any appreciation for our efforts in making history for the country's football team. We were not rewarded in anyway,” Don lamented.

After St Michel

Contributing to the community is something I mentioned early on in my article, and this is what Don Anacoura has decided to do for Maldives. It all started with beach football, which was introduced last year.

“I have always said that Maldives holds a special place in my heart and contributing to the development of youths as well as helping to keep youngsters off the streets is something very important,” he said.

Due to his work commitments, Don stated that it would be difficult to continue playing for St Michel and when he was approached to form a new team, he decided to take up the challenge with a beach football side.

Beach football league defending champions Real Maldives are the team who were brought to life last year. A year on, and Real Maldives now have a third division football side, which Don now acts as a player/coach, being on loan from St Michel.

Advice

Surely someone with so much experience has a lot to offer the younger generation and he has already started with his new ventures in football. But when working with so much young talent, there is always someone who stands out, and for Don that person is St Michel’s Leeroy Mathiot.

“Leeroy really plays his heart out on the football field and he trains a lot,” said Don. “For me he is surely the future of Seychelles football and his versatility is something that is lacking in a lot of young players. He can play anywhere.”

“A piece of advice I would like to share with the youth is to have a well-balanced social and professional life,” the experienced Seychelles midfielder said.

“You cannot leave school to play football or other sports because if it does not work out, you will have problems.”

He has also urged youths to do sports because of the love for it, not because you have to.

“The only way you progress is when you train with passion for what you are doing and not just because you feel forced to do so.”