Football: African club competitions 2005-La Passe and Red Star get ready for African adventures |15 December 2004

Both La Passe and Red Star have been paired against opponents from the Indian Ocean region in the preliminary round of the 9th African Champions League and the 2nd Confederations Cup.

La Passe have been drawn against USJF Ravinala of Madagascar in the lucrative African Champions League, while Red Star will play Mauritius outfit Savanne Sporting Club in the Confederations Cup.

Involved in African club competition, precisely the Champions League, for the first time in 2002, La Passe were eliminated 1-2 (1-0 at home and 0-2 away) by Mauritian side ASPL 2000 in the preliminary round.

League and Cup double achievers in Madagascar, USJF Ravinala will be making their first appearance in any African club competitions.

Coach Auguste Raux, who defended the colours of FC Fobar in the old African Champions Cup in 1996 as a player, wants his team to enjoy a good campaign, according to reports from Madagascar.

Already boasting Malagasy striker Claude Kely formerly with Ste Louisienne (Reunion) and Coco of DSA (Madagascar), USJF Ravinala are expected to recruit Malagasy under-20 international striker Pamphile Rabefitia, goalkeeper Karl, midfielder Commune and defender Tholix to bolster the side for the African Champions League campaign.

Red Star resume African duties

After a two-year break, Red Star will resume African duties against Mauritius’ Savanne Sporting Club.

The last time Red Star was involved in African club competition – the African Champions League – was in 2002 and they were eliminated by Simba SC of Tanzania on an aggregate score of  0-3 (0-1 and 0-2).

Red Star have never met a Mauritian opponent in five participations in African club competitions.

Mauritius Football Association (MFA) Cup winners Savanne Sporting Club, coached by Taleb Fatehmamode, participated in this year’s Confederations Cup and went out 0-3 (0-0 in Curepipe and 0-3 in Harare) against Zimbabwean team Dynamo in the preliminary round.

Both coaches – Yugoslav Vojo Gardasevic (La Passe) and Malagasy Mosa (Red Star) – are on holiday in their respective countries and are expected to resume duties early next year. In the meantime, their teams have already started training ahead of their January 2005 fixtures.

Red Star will play away to Savanne Sporting Club on the weekend of January 28, 29 and 30, 2005, while La Passe will host USJF Ravinala on the same weekend. The return leg matches will be played on the weekend of February 11, 12 and 13, 2005.

A win on aggregate score for Red Star will see them play Supersport United FC of South Africa in the first round in March.

As for La Passe, they will clash against the winners of the Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)/ASPL 2000 (Mauritius) match-up in the first round if they happen to beat USJF Ravinala of Madagascar in the preliminary round.

Their impression on the draw

Gerald Lablache, La Passe’s team president: “We are starting our preparation today (Tuesday) and the players will have two days off to celebrate Christmas and New Year. During my recent trip to South Africa with the country’s team who participated in the Cosafa Cup, I gathered bits and pieces of information about the team (USJF Ravinala). I learned that they are a good side with skilful players, but I’ve got scouts in Madagascar and I’ll wait for the information they send me. Playing the first leg at home, we will be all out for a win to put us in the right frame of mind for the return match.”

Taly, Red Star’s Malagasy midfielder: “We are to start training tomorrow (Wednesday) but we have not yet decided on the frequency yet. The level of Mauritian football isn’t that bad but I think we can progress to the first round. Playing the return match at home is good as we will have the backing of our supporters.”

Seychelles teams’ records against Malagasy opponents

St Louis v/s Cosfa in the preliminary round of the African Champions Cup in 1989 (0-0, 1-0)

St Louis v/s ASF in the preliminary round of the African Champions Cup in 1991 (0-0, 1-4)

St Michel v/s BFV in the preliminary round of the African Champions League in 1997 (1-2 0-3)

Red Star v/s Club Namakia in the preliminary round of the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997 (walkover for Red Star)

Red v/s FC Djivan in the preliminary round of the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 2000 (0-0, 0-0, Red Star lost 0-2 on penalties)

St Michel v/s AS Fortior in the preliminary round of the African Champions League in 2001 (0-0 3-1)

St Michel v/s DSA in the first round of the CAF Cup in 2003 (0-0, 1-0)

St Michel v/s Eco Redipharm Toamasina in the preliminary round of the African Champions League in 2004 (0-0, 2-0)

St Louis v/s Leopards Transfoot in the preliminary round of the Confederations Cup in 2004 (2-2, 0-4)

Seychelles teams’ records against Mauritian opponents

St Louis v/s Fire Brigade in the first round of the African Champions Cup in 1989 (0-1, 0-1)

St Michel v/s Fire Brigade in the preliminary round of the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999 (2-2, 2-2, St Michel won 4-2 on penalties)

St Michel v/s Vacoas Phoenix in the preliminary round of the African Champions League in 2000 (1-1, 1-2, but St Michel qualified for the first round after Caf disqualified the Mauritian team for fielding an suspended player)

La Passe v/s ASPL 2000 in the preliminary round of the African Champions League in 2003 (1-0, 0-2).

G. G.