FOOTBALL: L’UFFOI FINAL-Cote D’Or succumb to FC Tana |27 May 2013

Côte D’Or left themselves a mountain to climb as they were beaten at home in a match which was within their reach but they did not apply themselves and lost badly.

Côte D’Or started brightly in this match but failed to create clear cut opening as the Malagasy team were allowed to settle in this match.

In fact Malagasy Fabrice had two decent opportunities to open the scoring for his team but was wayward especially in the 33rd minute as he forced a good save out of goalie Kitson Cecile.
Sensing the danger Côte D’Or brought off Bernard St Ange for Marcus Labiche to bolster their attack.

The former La Passe striker almost scored with his first touch in the 35th minute but he shot wide.

Five minutes later Labiche again threatened as he bore on goal but he hesitated, allowing a defender to steal the ball which fell to Renick Esther who fluffed a great opportunity to score.

On the stroke of half time Côte D’Or’s Patrick Rasaminana threaded a pass to Labiche who appeared to be brought down by defender Francois who was the last defender but the Réunionnais referee David Hoareau only gave a free kick.

FC Tana though showed their prowess in the second period as they went on the attack and were rewarded on the hour mark from a great solo goal by Falihery Ferdinand Ramanmahe to make it 1-0 to silence the home crowd.

Côte D’Or huffed and puffed but conceded a second in the 89th minute as Falihery Ferdinand again beat goalie Kitson Cecile to give his team a 2-0 away win which puts them in a good stead for the second leg in a fortnight at home.

Côte D’Or coach Ahmed Abdou told Nation Sports that despite this unexpected defeat, he remains hopeful for the second leg match.

“We did not start well but improved in the second half as we created numerous scoring opportunities but failed to convert.  We were beaten by two goals on the counter attack but we remain upbeat for the second leg match.  We still are hopeful that we can reverse the score,” coach Abdou told Nation Sports as he expressed his disappointment that his team did not make good use of their home advantage in front of a packed Amitié Stadium.

R.J.L