Football - Seychelles football remembers ‘Pti Pele’ |08 June 2018

With the Fifa World Cup fast approaching, the local football governing body has decided to honour one of the country’s past national team players and star of the seventies for his contributions and commitment towards the game.

Jean Henriette, affectionately known as ‘Pti Pele’, played as forward for both Rangers and the national selection in the seventies.

Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) chief executive Georges Bibi paid ‘Pti Pele’ a visit at his residence at Mont Buxton yesterday to support him in his recovery following a recent surgery.

Mr Bibi also presented the ex-Seychelles international with a gift on behalf of the SFF.

Still vibrant despite of his injury, ‘Pti Pele’, now 68 years old, still recalls his playing days and the origin of his nickname.

He vividly remembered when in 1969 Sud Descombes, who was a Rangers fan at that time, gave him that nickname.

“At that time Brazil were performing quite well and I do not really know what he saw when he watched me playing, but he decided to call me ‘Pti Pele’, a name that has stuck until today,” he explained with a smile.

Among his best souvenirs, ‘Pti Pele’ will always cherish the match he played against the French Espoir selection featuring Michel Platini, Dominique Rocheteau, Jean Fernandez, Éric Pécout and Olivier Rouyer among other stars.

Sharing the story behind his selection for the match, ‘Pti Pele’ said he was left out of the national team by Robert Frichot while on a trip to Kenya, but was later called to play against the French.

“He said I was too small to play in Kenya, but after just two weeks of training I was selected to play against the French Espoir,” he explained.

Comparing football of the seventies to the modern days, ‘Pti Pele’ said there has been a significant decline, both in the level of play and commitment of the players.

“We played one-touch football and there was no dribbling or dragging the ball in front of the goal,” he noted.

‘Pti Pele’ said in five shots at goal, at least one ended up in the net.

Recalling his Rangers team of the seventies, ‘Pti Pele’ still recalls his teammates who included Ralph ‘Billing’ Micock, Jones Romain, James Adam, Sibert Havelock, Jerris Cesar, James Barra, Mike Mancienne, Jules Adrienne, Rene Cesar and Mathew Docteur.

“Suketu Patel was initially a Rovers player and after we beat them in a final and I scored two goals against him, he joined Rangers until the team closed down,” ‘Pti Pele’ recalled.

He also explained that during those days, players were so motivated and wanted to play that when injuries struck, it was regarded as a major disaster for them.

“We were not paid, but we played with our heart for the fans,” he added.

Commenting on the forthcoming World Cup, ‘Pti Pele’ said he is giving his support to Germany, the team he has been behind since 1974.

“I enjoy watching Germany, as they have different strategies for the different phases of the competition,” he concluded.

As for SFF chief executive Bibi, he said he was recently informed that ‘Pti Pele’ was hospitalised and as a friend, while visiting him, the idea of recognising the national team players of the seventies came to mind.

Mr Bibi explained that the idea has been brought in front of the federation’s executive committee and they are working on a proper structure on how to go about to materialise the idea, precisely in introducing a recognition award programme.

He also noted that the idea has been greatly welcomed as those players should be seen as legends for their contributions towards Seychelles’ football.

R. D.