Football: National Champions League |06 June 2023

FORESTERS …. National Premier League champions

Foresters crowned champions

Forêt Noire-based Foresters are the champions of the inaugural National Champions League organised by the Seychelles Football Federation, after upsetting Praslin side Côte d’Or 2-1 at home in the do-or-die match, at Stad Amitié, on Saturday.

Despite playing away in front of the Côte d’Or crowd, Foresters were not intimidated and it took them only four minutes to open the score through Warren Mellie, following a corner by Ryan Henriette which the Côte d’Or defenders failed to clear.

Foresters kept their feet on the pedal and throttled themselves closer towards being named champions when they doubled their lead in the 24th minute.

It all started from an assist, again from Henriette, this time to Brandon Labrosse who broke the Côte d’Or defensive line and netted to give Foresters a two-goal cushion.

Just before half-time, the Praslin side re-constructed their play and from a good coordination they managed to reduce the score in the 44th minute of play through Malagasy Casavwavi from an Ian Vel assist.

Intensity rose higher in the second half as Côte d’Or were searching for the equaliser, while Foresters were carefully holding on to their lead but they failed to score from their offensive plays.

The score remained unchanged at the final whistle which officially crowned Foresters as champions, leaving the fans and players of Côte d’Or in disbelief.

Champions Foresters concluded the league campaign on 28 points from eight wins, four draws and two losses out of 14 matches played, while Côte d’Or, who still have one match to play – against PTL Bazar Brothers ‒ are still occupying the runners-up spot, having so far collected 23 points from six wins, five draws and one loss out of 13 matches played.

Foresters’ head coach Harold Hoareau noted that they started the match very well even though Côte d’Or managed to reduce the lead.

He congratulated his team for keeping a good defensive form which allowed them to contain Côte d’Or.

“We needed only a win to secure the title and the team delivered exactly that,” said coach Hoareau, who further noted that Foresters are a force in Seychelles’ football, especially after winning two league titles in three years.

To conclude, coach Hoareau noted that the road to their title win was not easy as there were many setbacks, but they kept moving forward to achieve their target.

On the other hand, head coach Basil Hoareau of Côte d’Or said his team made great improvement as last year they finished last among the inner islands team.

“This season we were contenders for the league which was not the case the previous season. This is a great improvement as a team,” said coach Basil Hoareau who added that their objective for the next season is to come out strong and aim for the league title.

Neil Sirame