Football: Seychelles Premier League |18 December 2023

Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers stun leaders St Louis

Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers stunned Seychelles Premier League leaders St Louis in a come-from-behind 3-1 victory in a thrilling encounter at Stad Linite on Friday, putting an end to their three-game losing streak.

Jean Elson Rivaldo had two goals for Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers who grabbed three important points to go from ninth to sixth place on the 10-team league standings with nine points after the eighth round of matches.

Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers chairman Joel Vidot was delighted with his team’s win.

“The objective for today’s (Friday’s) match was a victory. After three consecutive defeats, we made the players aware that we could not afford another loss. So, for today’s (Friday’s) match it was three points at all costs and we did it. To tell you the truth, we were confident,” chairman Vidot told seysoccer.com.

Despite falling behind early in the match, Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers created the most chances with 19 shots including 10 on target, compared to St Louis’ six and among those only two on target.

Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers also enjoyed more possession – 55%.

Despite the loss, St Louis stay top on the log with 16 points after eight matches played, but it is not sure if they will keep this position until the end of year as the Seychelles Football Federation (SFFF) is yet to decide when the La Passe v LightStars match will be played after it was postponed last Friday due to a waterlogged pitch at Stad Amitié on Praslin.

Like St Louis, La Passe have 16 points but have a match in hand on the leaders.

In fact, three teams are locked on 16 points after Foresters overcame a one-goal deficit to beat Defence Forces 4-1 last Thursday at Stad Linite.

Errol Bacco gave Defence Forces the lead but Ryan Henriette cancelled it out with the equaliser to send the two teams into the locker rooms for the breather locked at 1-1.

In the second period, Malagasy substitute Paul Brieul made an impact 13 minutes after coming on with a goal that gave Foresters a 2-1 lead and he doubled their advantage with his second personal goal (3-1). Brandon Labrosse got himself on the scoresheet by putting the issue beyond doubt for a 4-1 victory.

Foresters have also played eight matches for a points tally of 16. They enjoyed 64% of possession and had 27 shots including six on goal. As for Defence Forces, they only had two shots on target out of the 14 attempts.

Defence Forces had won their previous match on a 3-0 score against Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers, thus putting an end to a 22-game winless streak (seven draws and 15 defeats).

In the other Seychelles Premier League match played, St Michel beat Anse Reunion 2-0 at Stad Amitié on Saturday to move to fifth place on the table with 10 points.

Anse Reunion, who have lodged an official complaint to the SFF following their match against Foresters alleging ill-treatment and favouritism by match officials, are still in the danger zone with six points – two more than Northern Dynamo who are carrying the weight of the table.

LightStars, whose match against La Passe was postponed, are in fourth position with 13 points from seven matches, while Côte d’Or are on eight points after seven matches. Their match against tailenders Northern Dynamo on Saturday was postponed.

If the SFF decides not to play the postponed matches before the end of the year, the Seychelles Premier League is expected to resume on Thursday January 11, 2024.

Gerard Govinden