Football: Cosafa Youth Championship-Seychelles team jet out for Botswana today |03 December 2010

The 25-member delegation, including 20 players, is headed by Georges Bibi. Coach Andrew Amers Morrison, assistant coach Marc Mathiot, medical officer Sam Moses and kit manager Damien Jean are also with the team.

The 20 players are Jalyl Servina, Raphael Moustache (goalkeepers), Nadim Lucas, Roddy Melanie, Jess Cadeau, Marlon Asba, Ahmed Maurice, Mike Lesperance, Yannick Manoo (defenders), Rachim Padayachy, Keddy Moustache, Steven Jean, Leeroy Mathiot, Darius Quatre, Gerry Sophola, Elvyn Estico, Ryan Nibourette, Travis Lawrence (midfielders), Trevor Vidot and Marcus Maria (strikers).

Matches will be played in Botswana’s capital city Gaborone from December 3-12, and the Seychelles team will play Madagascar and Mozambique in group D.

The four teams in group A are Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland and Malawi, group B comprises South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia, and group C is made up of Zambia, Mauritius and Angola.

Only the Comoros are not taking part in the championship initially slated for November 13-20 in South Africa. Seen as the platform for young players to gain experience, the tournament is taking place outside South Africa for the first time in eight years.

Last year, Seychelles let slip a 1-0 lead against hosts South Africa to lose 1-2 in their first match.
The Seychelles team took the lead in the 42nd minute. After being felled in the penalty area by South Africa goalkeeper Boalefe Pule, captain Trevor Vidot picked himself up to score from the penalty spot, but the team conceded two goals in a five-minute spell.

They bounced back with an encouraging 4-2 victory over Namibia in their second group ‘A’ match. Vidot scored twice, including one from the penalty spot in the first half, while Vanerick Michel and Mervyn Pierre added a goal apiece.

Victory in last year’s final went to the Young Chipolopolos of Zambia on a 1-0 score against South Africa’s Amajitas.

G. G.