Football: African Confederation Cup-Anse Réunion off to South Africa tomorrow |20 March 2008

Former Seychelles coach Vojo Gardasevic, who led La Passe to winning the League title in his first two seasons (in 2004 and 2005) before taking charge of Anse Réunion, leading them to their first championship win in 2006, guided the La Digue-based outfit into the first round of Africa's second-tier club competition.

Against Mauritian side Petite Rivière Noire FC, they won the preliminary round home leg encounter 2-1 with goals by Roderick Rose and Yelvanny Rose and were held to a goalless draw in the return leg match played at the Stade Georges V.

To avoid losing players to injuries before Sunday’s big match, Anse Réunion chose not to play an Airtel Cup group A match against St Louis Suns United scheduled for yesterday.

Speaking to Sports Nation, coach Vojo said that although his team do not know Ajax Cape Town, they will put up a brave face.

“It’s important to be careful tactically at this stage of the competition and against such a good team like Ajax Cape Town. They are one of the best teams in Africa. I’m optimistic about our chances. I respect all our opponents, but I’m not afraid of anyone. We will give it our best shot. Nothing’s impossible,” said Vojo.
Asked to comment on his team’s preparation for the away match, Vojo said:

“My players have been training hard and they know that such a chance to play an important match comes possibly just once in a year. If the team play like they did in Mauritius (against Petite Rivière Noire FC), they can do something good.”

Coach Vojo added that because Anse Réunion will be defending Seychelles’ colours in South Africa, he would like all Seychellois football fans to watch his team in action on Intelvision.

The winners of the two-legged tie will advance to the second round of 16 teams in April and May.
Granted a bye straight into the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup, Ajax Cape Town, nicknamed ‘Urban Warriors’ and formed in 1999 (a merger between Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs), lead the Absa Premiership and had an opportunity to pull four points clear of SuperSport United as they were to host Platinum Stars last night.

The 'Urban Warriors' are now focusing on winning the league title following their exit from the Nedbank Cup – losing 0-2 to Kaizer Chiefs - ending any hopes of a league and cup double for the Cape side.

A victory over Platinum Stars would take Ajax Cape Town to 45 points from 23 matches and ensure their place at the top of the Absa Premiership at least until the weekend of April 4-6.

It is worth noting that Ajax Cape Town have so far won the Rothmans Cup in 2001 and the ABSA Cup in 2003 and 2007. The team also finished as runners-up of the IWISA Charity Spectacular in 1999, the BP Top 8 in 2001, the Castle Premiership in 2004, and the Telkom Cup in 2006. They reached the quarterfinals of the old Caf Cup in 2005.

The Anse Réunion delegation:
Ronny Jacques, Andy Ernesta, Bernard Rose, Armantal Ernesta, Roderick Rose, Ricky Rose, Dominique Kiyambu, Yelvany Rose, Jude Bibi, Franky Rose, Dana Rose, Jean-François Dora, Zablon Amanaka, Gwada Abuor Sila, James Omondi, Pierre Luigi Nibourette, Stephan Morel, Norman Ernesta et Julius Adrienne (players), Vojo Gardasevic (coach), Juel Ah-kong, (assistant coach), Jill Mussard (physiotherapist), Michel Albert (manager) et Jemmy Adela (head of delegation).

G. G.