Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) Cup final |12 June 2023
La Passe captain Rinho Michel Randriamanjaka and Rodrick Rose accept the SF Cup from President Ramkalawan (Photo: Neil Sirame)
La Passe champions
La Passe FC came out victorious against fellow La Digue rivals Anse Reunion in the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) Cup final played on Saturday at Stad Popiler.
President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is the patron of football in Seychelles, was present to watch the match alongside Youth, Sports and Family Minister Marie-Celine Zialor, youth and sports principal secretary Ralph Jean-Louis, SFF president Elvis Chetty, SFF vice-president Dolor Ernesta, SFF general secretary and chief executive Denis Rose, among other guests.
The match was a physical one as both sides tried to score an early goal and it was La Passe who got the breakthrough in the 27th minute. Malagasy player Tafita was at the end of a cross into the Anse Reunion penalty area and he scored to give his team the lead.
La Passe continued to maintain the pressure on Anse Reunion who were making mistakes in midfield but they could not capitalise to add to the score.
Late in the first half, Anse Reunion tried to step up their game and went in search of the equaliser which did not come as the score stayed at 1-0 at half-time.
In the second half, things got more physical as both sides threw in some hard tackles and this kind of play took the gloss off the game. La Passe were given a clear opportunity to double their lead in the 53rd minute when Veron Rose of Anse Reunion fouled his opponent in the six-yard box and La Passe were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for La Passe, but fortunately for Anse Reunion Brandon Fanchette could not score with his spot kick.
Anse Reunion breathed a sigh of relief and they pushed men forward as they looked to get the equalising goal, but in vain.
Things took an ugly turn in the 89thminute went Hiroy Jupiter of La Passe and Saverio Tsihoua of Anse Reunion were sent off for misconduct on the field.
At the final whistle, La Passe players and fans burst into joy after winning the 2023 Seychelles Football Federation Cup as their rivals were filled with disappointment and disbelief.
Four yellow cards were also dished out during the match.
President Ramkalawan, Minister Zialor, SFF president Chetty presented medals to runners-up Anse Reunion and the SFF Cup trophy to La Passe team captain Rinho Michel Randriamanjaka and Rodrick Rose.
President Ramkalawan then joined the La Passe players for some souvenir photos.
Sports NATION spoke to La Passe assistant coaches Eric Kasamah and Marius Fanchette about their success in the SFF Cup final and they both expressed their overwhelming joy following the victory over arch rivals Anse Reunion.
Fanchette stated that they came into the final with the aim to get a win and the squad managed to accomplish it. He added that they focused on playing long balls and transitional plays which worked perfectly against their opponents.
“We are very happy and we have showed our class over Anse Reunion,” said Fanchette.
As for Kasamah, he stated that he definitely wanted his team to win over Anse Reunion as it was long overdue.
He added that the team played well collectively and maintained a tight defensive form to stop Anse Reunion from equalising.
Neil Sirame
