Football: Airtel Cup final - La Passe retain Airtel Cup at St Michel’s expense |13 July 2015

La Digue-based La Passe retained the Airtel Cup on Saturday in the final at the expense of St Michel with a narrow 1-0 victory at Stad Linite.

A good crowd from both camps had braved the weather to witness another fascinating final which had been built up all week and surely lived up to expectations.

Before kick-off, the two teams were presented to Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, Airtel acting chief executive Thomas King, as well as Seychelles Football Federation chairman Elvis Chetty.

The match started slowly due to the heavy pitch but once the two sets of players got into the groove, it was a very exciting and open match with goal scoring chances aplenty.

Despite St Michel having a slight advantage, La Passe had a great chance to open the scoring in the 13th minute from an inch-perfect cross by Collin Esther to Renick Esther who shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Four minutes later, it was the turn of Collin Esther to go close from captain Achille Henriette’s deep corner but goalkeeper Gino Melanie blocked his header.

From the counter-attack, St Michel earned a free kick and Malagasy Jocelyn’s dipping effort forced a finger-tip save by goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie to push the ball over the cross bar.

Renick Esther missed another sitter in the 20th minute as the superb captain Henriette released Collin Esther who centred to him but he could not direct a free header on target.

In the 21st minute, there was some controversy when Jocelyn floated in a cross which 2014 footballer of the year Gervais Waye-Hive headed past goalkeeper Euphrasie but the goal was strangely disallowed for an apparent offside by assistant referee Stephan Dugasse as it looked a good goal to most people in the stadium.

Two minutes later, Trevor Vidot threaded a brilliant ball to Jocelyn who looked odds on to score as he was in the clear but goalkeeper Euphrasie blocked his initial shot and the Malagasy striker lost his footing as he tried to force the loose ball over the goal line as La Passe rode their luck.

On the stroke of half-time Waye-Hive’s sweetly struck free kick forced a very good save out of goalkeeper Euphrasie to keep the score at the break at equal par.

The second stanza was as enthralling as the first and in the 53rd minute, Malagasy Hassan Aly went on a mazy run down the left before laying the ball into the path of Leeroy Corallie whose shot grazed the crossbar when it looked easier to score.

La Passe’s Tanzanian midfielder Rashid Mohamed almost punished goalkeeper Melanie in the 56th minute for some complacency when he collected his short goal kick but his lob sailed wide and two minutes later Renick Esther failed to make the most of some lapse in concentration by the St Michel defence.

As the match grew older, the two coaches made two substitutions each in an attempt to go for the victory and for La Passe their gamble to send young Randy Emile paid dividends as he latched onto a stray pass by St Michel substitute Trevor Poiret in the 68th minute to set up the only goal of the match.

Young midfielder Emile left a couple of defenders in his wake with his burst of speed down the right and he flashed the ball across the face of goal to Renick Esther who coolly placed it low into the net for a 1-0 score to send the La Passe supporters into wild celebrations.

St Michel’s trouble increased with injury to Nelson Laurence who was playing in central defence and in the 85th minute, Trevor Vidot was given his marching orders for his second bookable offence by referee Keren Yocette who had a good game.

La Passe could have scored on two more occasions in the dying minutes but both Randy Emile and Ugandan substitute Hussein Zzinda were denied by goalkeeper Melanie as the La Digue team held on to retain the Airtel Cup and thwart St Michel’s challenge for two years running as their fans rejoiced after another great match which surely entertained the crowd.

The cups and medals were presented to the two teams by Minister Meriton, Mr King, SFF chairman Chetty as well as Miss Seychelles … Another World 2015 Linne Freminot.

St Michel, in true sportsmanship and fair play spirit, gave the La Passe players a guard of honour treatment as they went up to collect their winners’ medals and cup.

Congratulations to La Passe for serving us a treat and their cup triumph from the team at Sports Nation.

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What they said after the cup final 

Thomas King, Airtel acting CEO: “It was a very good and exciting final and congratulations to the winners La Passe.”

Elvis Chetty, SFF chairman: “It was a very competitive match by two great teams playing very entertaining football and both teams had chances to win but there could be only one winner. Therefore I would like to congratulate La Passe on their victory but as well commend St Michel for making it a great spectacle.”

Miss Seychelles Linne Freminot: “It was a very interesting match as well as exciting at times but I’m a bit disappointed as my team St Michel lost but it was good to be here.”

Bruno Saindini, La Passe coach: “We have done it again as a result of hard work. St Michel also played well but I feel we were more determined to retain our title and that’s why we won and hopefully this will boost our morale for a strong challenge for the league title.”

Andrew Jean-Louis, St Michel manager: “We had a slight domination in the first half where we created some good scoring chances and even had a good goal disallowed for some inexplicable reasons. We also made an error in the second half which cost us dearly but this is football and I would like to congratulate our opponents and hope this defeat will make the players work harder to defend our league title.”