Football: Barclays league division one 2013 |18 November 2013

Côte d'Or claim first title

Praslin outfit Côte d'Or claimed their first Barclays league division one title on Saturday on La Digue with a 1-1 draw against La Passe at the L'Union pitch in front of a large crowd.

Côte d'Or managed to brush aside the challenge of La Passe in this match which had so much at stake and hindered the performance of the two teams. Côte d’Or only needed a draw to become the first Praslin side to win the league title, while La Passe had to get a win to be crowned champions.

Côte d'Or though were the more enterprising team in front of a fantastic ambiance in a packed stadium.

They threatened in the 12th minute as captain Jones Joubert released Dine Suzette who looked suspiciously offside but was not signaled and he rounded goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie and the ball ran out of play.

In the 18th minute, Renick Esther got the better of Verna Rose as he cut inside his marker but he shot wide.

A minute later, captain Joubert galloped forward to set up Suzette who forced a good save out of goalkeeper Euphrasie.

In the 24th minute, La Passe’s defender Jean-Paul Marguerite gave the ball away to Malagasy Jean Tigana who laid it off to Suzette but he could not hit the target.

In the 42nd minute, La Passe’s defender Melvin Uranie was lucky not to be booked by referee Bernard Camille after he elbowed Suzette in the face in an off-the-ball incident.

La Passe struck early in the second half (46th minute) as captain Achille Henriette made the most of a loose ball from a free-kick to bury his shot past goalkeeper Kitson Cecile to make it 1-0.

Côte d'Or brought on Patrick Rasaminana and Marcus Labiche on the hour mark to lift their game as La Passe tried to defend their lead.

As Côte d'Or looked for an equaliser, La Passe almost added a second goal in the 72nd minute as captain Henriette fed Malagasy Fagnorena but he could not compose himself.

In the 82nd minute, La Passe went close as Fagnorena centered to captain Henriette and the ball broke to substitute Valerie but he blazed over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Côte d'Or, who had pushed forward to redress the balance, leveled the score in the 84th minute as La Passe lost the ball in their own half and it was played quickly forward to Malagasy Patrick who hooked it over goalkeeper Euphrasie to level the score at 1-1.

La Passe therefore had to throw caution to the wind but they failed to trouble Côte d'Or who hang on to lift their first ever league title.

Côte d'Or fans flooded the pitch as they celebrated their maiden title.

Côte d'Or manager Robert Payet told Sports Nation that he was really emotional as he did not expect to lift the league title in such a short period of time.

“Today I'm really happy and cannot express my joy. We dominated this match and were always the better team. When I took up this team three years ago, my dream was to win the league and today I don't have words to express my happiness,” manager Payet told Sports Nation.

The cups and medals were presented to the two teams by the Seychelles Football Federation chairman Elvis Chetty and Barclays Bank representative Andre Bédier.

Sports Nation extends its congratulations to Côte d'Or for winning the Barclays league division one title.

LightStars v Northern Dynamo

Praslin side LightStars held on to their first division status with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Northern Dynamo on Praslin on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, LightStars’ Mario Ravo gave his team a 1-0 lead. However, Dynamo's Malagasy striker Asman Todisoa equalised to make it 1-1.

Andrew Jean though struck late to give LightStars all three points which helped relegate St Roch and push the Praslin team into the play-off berth.


St Louis Suns v Anse Reunion

Anse Reunion came from two goals down to defeat St Louis Suns 6-4 at Stad Linite on Saturday.

Elijah Tamboo had given St Louis Suns a 1-0 lead before Malagasy Falirina made 2-0.

Anse Reunion fought back as Yelvanny Rose scored twice to make it 2-2.

Nickerro Marie gave Anse Reunion a 3-2 lead but Tamboo netted his second goal for a 3-3 score.

Roderick Rose re-established Anse Reunion's advantage and Yelvanny Rose completed his hat-trick for a 5-3 lead.

Anse Reunion goalkeeper Ricky Rose though conceded a penalty in the 88th minute which Nigel Freminot coolly slotted home for a 5-4 score.

Anse Reunion though sealed their win in added time as Malagasy Eddy scored for a final 6-4 scoreline.

The following is the final league table.

Barclays league division one

R. J-L.