Football: African Nations Championship (Chan)-Makeshift Seychelles lose with honour |08 June 2010

After eliminating Namibia 2-1 in the previous round, Seychelles leave the competition on a 2-6 aggregate score after losing the home leg 2-4 at Stad Linite on May 22.

German coach Michael Nees left for Zimbabwe with a depleted side after four stalwarts – captain Don Anacoura, Alex Nibourette, Henny Dufresne and Wilnes Brutus of the St Michel club – snubbed the team at the last minute after they had already received their air tickets for the Zimbabwe trip.

According to reports from Zimbabwe, after being held goalless in the first half the home side broke the deadlock in the 57th minute from the penalty spot after defender Allen Larue was adjudged by Namibian referee Alex Tiyeaz to have handled the ball.

Warriors captain Method Mwanjali stepped up to send goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie, who had replaced the injured Nelson Sopha after the interval, the wrong way.

Rusike gave Zimbabwe their tickets to the finals in Sudan next year with a strike on 71 minutes after he was set up by Rambanepasi.

The Warriors, who took part in the last Chan in Ivory Coast, will join hosts Sudan, holders DR Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon and Niger for the finals to be held from February 4, 2011.

The 0-2 loss is a commanding result for the team of mostly fringe players and youngsters and is at the same time a slap in the face for some for the team’s cadres who are not ready to play their hearts out for Seychelles.

No player, regardless of his ability, is higher than the team, and players with such an attitude should be left out of the national team.

It is time then for the Seychelles Football Federation to work with footballers who are 100% committed to the team and defend the country’s colours with dignity.

G. G.