Football: Sunkiss'd league division two-Baie Ste Anne 96ers amongst the elites |09 November 2004

Under the leadership of current coach Dereck Barbé, the team made a name for themselves as they took by storm the Inner Islands the year they came into existence.

A year later Baie Ste Anne 96ers won automatic qualification to play in the third division after dominating their opponents with consummate ease.

Baie Ste Anne 96ers though had to re-look at their players' recruitment policy and they began to search elsewhere and signed in more skilful players. They also appointed Garry Victor to take over the helm in 1998 to replace Barbé who, for personal reasons decided to part company with the team.

Baie Ste Anne 96ers spend two years in the third division before moving to the second division in 2000.

During the first round of the 2004 league championship Barbé re-united with the club and took over the role of technical advisor.

His influence helped propel the team to third place on the standings at the end of the first round and at the start of the second round Barbé was appointed as head coach to guide Baie St Anne 96ers to winning promotion to the first division.

"It was very difficult for me when I took over the club earlier this year as we had lost a number of our key players who decided to join other teams. I braved the odds and started making some recruitments and from there, the squad were re-inforced.
 
Since then the players have remained united with each other and loyal to the club which is the key to our success. We have worked very hard to achieve the feat and I must congratulate all the players including our acting manager Dan Bouchereau for their dedication," said coach Barbé.

Up front Baie St Anne 96ers had an abundance of strikers. Richard Lablache was the top scorer and he was supported by Francis Rose who has been called up by the country's Under 21 selection who are to participate in the Cosafa Cup in South Africa, later this year.

Barbé a former Seychelles' international player added that his team played some good football in the championship and cited their last league victory over Rovers at home last Saturday as their best performance.

Captain Steve Marie, formerly with Plaisance, said that his team stand a good chance amongst the elites next season.

"We have the potential to survive in the first division but the players will have to adopt a different approach and take training more seriously," explained the former Plaisance right-back who joined Baie Ste Anne 96ers earlier this season.

Coach Barbé though realises that he needs to further re-inforce the team and has plans to recruit new players if they are to prove their worth in the top flight.

The area earmarked for re-inforcement is the defensive midfield role.

"There are some players who have stated their intention to be part of the club next season and they are most welcomed. I would also look in the possibility of recruiting a foreigner if everything goes on well," said Barbé.

With the appropriate financial backing Baie St Anne 96ers can surely attract top players and bolster their team but Barbé warned that they are looking for players who are committed and ready to work hard for the team.

In the meantime though, the players and all Praslinois can celebrate their well-deserved triumph and prepare themselves for battle against the big guns next season.
Baie Ste Anne 96ers have finished the league campaign with 42 points, the same total as runners-up Survivors who boast an inferior goal difference.

Praslin-based Survivors, could also be playing first division football next year if only they beat Northern Dynamo in the play-off scheduled for Friday at Stad Linite, starting at 5 p.m.

Foresters are third on the ten-team league table with 36 points followed by Athletico Juniors in fourth place with a point less.

The other positions on the table are being occupied by Mont Buxton (fifth), Beau Vallon (sixth), Anse Etoile (seventh), South  Olympic (eighth), Arsu (ninth) and Rovers (tenth).

C. J.