Beach Soccer: Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (BSAfcon) Steep road ahead after 2-5 home defeat to Barea |25 July 2022

President Ramkalawan congratulating the players after the match (Photo: Roland Duval)

The road for a place in the final eight at the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations has now become a steep slope to climb for the Seychelles national selection after losing their home match 2-5 against the Barea of Madagascar on Saturday at the Roche Caïman beach soccer arena.

Other than missing several open and easy scoring chances, Seychelles also missed two penalties on Saturday, and this will surely cost them when they make the trip for the return leg in Madagascar next month.

Fourteen African nations are battling for a spot in the top seven, before joining hosts Mozambique in the main stage which will take place from October 21-30.

Backed by the local Malagasy community, the Barea showed their intention early in the match by testing the Seychelles’ defence, keeping goalkeeper Damien Adela on the alert from the start.

It took the visitors only 3 minutes 25 seconds to open the score through Bessie, before Jean-François doubled their lead four minutes later to give the Barea a 2-0 cushion at the end of the first period.

Early in the second period, Madagascar lost goalkeeper Anivana who received a straight red card for handling the ball outside the box.

Minutes later, Seychelles had the chance to reduce the score when they were awarded a penalty, but Davyan Houreau riffled his shot metres over the crossbar as the Barea maintained their lead.

Seychelles did score in the fourth minute of this period when Andy Mougal reduced the visitors’ lead to 2-1.

However, the Barea extended their lead again through Jean-François from the penalty spot for a 3-1 lead at the end of the second period.

With the arrival of President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is also the patron of Seychelles’ football, Seychelles seemed to pick up the momentum when Hansel Cœur de Lion scored in the third minute, cutting the Barea’s lead to 3-2, only to see Jean-François complete his hat-trick seconds later to restore Madagascar’s two-goal lead (4-2).

Seychelles had another chance to reduce the Malagasy’s lead when they were awarded a penalty in the seventh minute, but captain Robinson Cadeau’s weak shot was easily saved by the Barea’s goalkeeper.

Hard to contain, Jean-François was again on target for Madagascar in the seventh minute, beating goalkeeper Adela to stretch Madagascar’s lead to 5-2 which was also the final score.

Commenting on Seychelles’ performance, coach Alpha Baldé said the Barea are no better than the local selection, but it was only through simple mistakes, including missing scoring opportunities, that allowed the visitors who made good use of counter attacks to walk away with the victory.

He said they will go back to the drawing board, boost their offence strategy which was the main problem on Saturday.

The away match is to be played during the weekend of August 5-7, 2022.

The Seychelles selection on Saturday

Players: Damien Adela, Travis Cadeau (goalkeepers), Mike Balette, Robinson Cadeau, Ryan Servina, Michael Jumaye (defenders), Terrence Amade, Martin William, Andy Mougal, Hansel Cœur de lion, Davyan Houreau, Mike Ballet and  Ronny Bamboche

Coaches: Alpha Baldé, Travis Julienne and Edmond Robert

Medical personnel: Wilna Figaro

Team manager: Roddy Rath

Roland Duval