Former Seychellois footballers remember Pelé |04 January 2023
Considered the world’s finest footballer of all time, Brazilian Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, was laid to rest yesterday, but many Seychellois would remember his visit to Seychelles in 1979 ‒ two years after he had retired from the game.
Pelé arrived in Seychelles on February 18, 1979 and Pelé Cup was organised between Rovers and a selection of players from the different local sides. The match played at Stad Popiler ended in a 1-1 draw.
He gave the kick-off to the match refereed by Sophus Larsen assisted by Georges Bibi and Ferley Etienne.
Charles Alcindor, Ralph Micock, Max Racombo, Suketu Patel were some of the players who caught Pelé’s eyes during the match.
Alcindor, affectionately known as Charlie, told Sports NATION he really wanted to show Pelé what he was capable of doing.
“I came into the match wanting to show Pelé my set of skills. I had just joined Rovers from Rangers and was hyped up to give a very good performance which I did. I was 26 years old and was playing well. Pelé was asked to choose a best player on each team and he chose myself and Ralph ‘Billing’ Micock who was playing for the mixed selection. This opportunity came before Seychelles took part in the first Indian Ocean Islands Games in Reunion. We beat Mauritius on penalties to reach the final against the host country and lost 1-2. I scored Seychelles’ consolation goal in the final,” Alcindor told Sports NATION.
Known as one of Seychelles’ best hurdlers, Vincent Confait came on in goal for Max Racombo in the second half for Rovers and speaking to Sports NATION he said: “I felt very emotional. He took a photo with our team and stood between me and Donald Monnaie. It was a wonderful moment and to realise that I stood next to the greatest player of all time is something big.”
Confait was 19 years old at the time.
Some of the other players who played for Rovers were Wills Agricole, Brian Felix, France Pointe, Steven Biscornet, Lindsay Betsy, Lewis Betsy, Donald Monnaie, Patrick Marguerite, Jossy Denousse, Collin Whiting, François Rose, Philip Kilindo, Israel Volcère, Ralph Volcère and Gerard Hoareau.
It is said that Mario Richie was instrumental in bringing the Brazilian football legend to the shores of Seychelles.
The opposing team was made up of players from Ascot, Rangers and Survivors with the likes of Jeris Cesar, Suketu Patel, Jones Romain, James Adam, Ralph ‘Billing’ Micock, Rolly Moustache, Jimmy Baker, Robin Marimba and Ulric ‘Keker’ Mathiot.
“It was a very good experience. It’s hard to imagine modern soccer, or Brazil, without Pelé,” Mathiot told Sports NATION in a telephone conversation yesterday.
As for Jeris César, he said “it was a pleasure to play in front of such an icon.”
Brazilian soccer star Pelé who became a national treasure and a worldwide phenomenon, died on December 29, 2022 in his native country. His combination of incomparable soccer skills, radiant smile, and belief in the transformative power of the game he loved, allowed him to transcend the world of athletics. He was 82 years old.
In his message of recognition following passing of international football icon Pelé, President Wavel Ramkalawan wrote: "The world has lost an icon and legendary footballer who during the prime of his football career gave us much entertainment and hope. Pelé, coming from very humble beginnings, was also a source of inspiration and a symbol of perseverance proving that with hard work and determination any dream is attainable. Pelé leaves behind a legacy of hope paving the way for many future athletes a dream of which I hope our younger generation will find inspiration from and follow in his footsteps."
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, Pelé began his professional career at 15 and has for many years during his football career regaled fans across the world with his dazzling football skills.
He was part of the Brazilian national teams who won three World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He is the only player to have won the title three times.
After joining the Santos Football Club in 1956, Pelé won nine São Paulo league championships and, in 1962 and 1963, both the Libertadores Cup and the Intercontinental Club Cup. After the 1958 World Cup, Pelé was declared a national treasure by the Brazilian government in order to ward off large offers from European clubs and ensure that he would remain in Brazil.
Pelé made his international debut in 1957 at age 16 and the following year played his first game in the World Cup finals in Sweden. The Brazilian manager was initially hesitant to play his young star. When Pelé finally reached the field, he made an immediate impact, rattling the post with one shot and collecting an assist. He had a hat-trick in the semifinal against France and two goals in the final, where Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2.
At the 1962 World Cup finals, Pelé tore a thigh muscle in the second match and had to sit out the remainder of the tournament. Nonetheless, Brazil went on to claim their second World Cup title. Rough play and injuries turned the 1966 World Cup into a disaster for both Brazil and Pelé, as the team went out in the first round, and he contemplated retiring from World Cup play. Returning in 1970 for one more World Cup tournament, he teamed with young stars Jairzinho and Rivelino to claim Brazil’s third title and permanent ownership of the Jules Rimet Trophy. Pelé finished his World Cup career having scored 12 goals in 14 games.
Pelé announced his retirement in 1974 but in 1975 agreed to a three-year US $7 million contract with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League and to promote the game in the United States. He retired after leading the Cosmos to the league championship in 1977.
He was the recipient of the International Peace Award in 1978. In 1980 he was named Athlete of the Century by the French sports publication L’Equipe, and he received the same honour in 1999 from the International Olympic Committee. In 2014 the Pelé Museum opened in Santos, Brazil. In addition to his accomplishments in sports, he published several best-selling autobiographies and starred in several successful documentary and semi-documentary films. He also composed numerous musical pieces, including the soundtrack for the film Pelé (1977).
Compiled by Gerard Govinden
