Football: SFF Cup final St Louis complete league and cup double |04 December 2017
St Louis completed the league and cup double with a 3-1 triumph over Anse Reunion in the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) Cup Final on Saturday at Stad Linite.
The match was played in front of a large crowd which included the Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Mitcy Larue and senior SFF members.
Anse Reunion though almost opened the scoring in the first minute of play when St Louis conceded possession from the kick-off and gave away a free kick which was floated into the box by Roderick Rose and was met by a header from Noris Bibi which forced Malagasy goalkeeper Michel to react quickly and he clattered into the post in stopping the goal-bound header.
In the 13th minute Noris Bibi got the better of defender Jean-Paul Adela to centre to Yelvanny Rose whose stooping header flew agonisingly wide.
Seven minutes later, Tanzanian Rashid Gumbo released Warren Bibi who bore on goal but St Louis skipper Bertrand Esther tracked him to clear the danger.
St Louis’ first real chance came in the 24th minute from a long ball by captain Esther to Karl Hall who headed the ball into the path of Mervin Mathiot but he took too long to adjust his shot.
Three minutes later, St Louis felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Adeyeri’s fierce shot came off Anse Reunion’s Malagasy captain Eddy’s arm but referee Bernard Camille was not convinced it was worthy of a penalty.
Adeyeri was denied from breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when the ball broke kindly to him but goalkeeper Ricky Rose was quick off his line to thwart the danger for a goalless first half.
St Louis took the lead early in the second half, precisely in the 51st minute when Hall lofted the ball to Mathiot in the penalty area and he headed across goal to Adeyeri who tucked it home for a 1-0 advantage which was greeted with much celebration in the stands.
Anse Reunion levelled matters five minutes later though in controversial manner as assistant referee Hensley Petrousse failed to flag when the ball rolled out of play.
St Louis stopped playing as they expected the official to indicate the infringement but play continued and Jules Constance fed Noris Bibi who cut the ball to Gumbo who was bundled over by defender Damien Maria for a penalty awarded by referee Camille. Roderick Rose took responsibility of the spot kick and he easily sent goalkeeper Michel the wrong way to make it 1-1 much to the delight of their travelling supporters and band Leko Bwa Ver.
St Louis though did not let this setback affect them as the entry of Gervais Waye-Hive transformed their play.
In the 68th minute, Waye-Hive forced a great save out of goalkeeper Ricky Rose with a curling free kick and five minutes later from another free kick Elijah Tamboo beat goalkeeper Rose to the ball to make it 2-1.
Adeyeri tested goalkeeper Rose with a long range left foot shot in the 78th minute and he had to dive full length to push the ball into corner.
In the 78th minute, Anse Reunion rode their luck when Waye-Hive floated a corner on the head of Hall who headed goal wards but defender Constance cleared on the goal-line with goalkeeper Rose out of his goal.
St Louis put the icing on the cake in the 86th minute from another perfect delivery by Waye-Hive which Tamboo missed and Adeyeri sneaked in at the back post to guide into the net for his brace and a 3-1 final score line to send his fans into dreamland as they finally complete the league and cup double and it was celebration both on the pitch and in the stands.
The two teams were presented with their medals and cups by Minister Larue and the Seychelles Football Federation vice-chairman Dolor Ernesta along with the principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre. Damien Maria, who at one point during the season captained the St Louis team, picked up the winners’ trophy.
Sports NATION would like to congratulate St Louis on completing this incredible league and cup triumph this season.
What they said after the match
St Louis coach Nigel Freminot: “I would like to congratulate my players as they reaped the rewards for their hard work this season and they deserve all the credit for what they have achieved. We wanted to bring success to this community and we are so proud at what we have been able to achieve.”
St Louis captain Bertrand Esther: “It was not an easy match but we had to remain calm and composed as we knew we had top class strikers who could open up our opponents’ defence and this is what happened as our opponents got tired. I am so happy to lead this club to such success.”
Anse Reunion coach Ted Esther: “We played well in the first half but we conceded from set plays and the entry of Gervais Waye-Hive hurt us a lot but we are pleased to have at least reached the final, but we would also like to congratulate St Louis on winning the double. But for my team, we would like to thank everyone who has helped us this season and we would welcome anyone who would like to come and help this group of young players who we are integrating in the team next season.”
Anse Reunion captain Eddy Ranjoriamihaja: “It was a tough match against a good team and a lack of concentration in the second half cost us the match, but I must congratulate our opponents who deserve their success this season but we are also satisfied at making it to the final which is a good achievement for the season.”
R. J-L.
