Football: Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) National Leagues update |20 February 2024

Real Maldive sit comfortably on top

St Louis stun Anse Reunion to move to the top

• Real Maldive in a league of their own

After trailing defending league champions Foresters in the runners-up spot on goal difference for several weeks, St Louis have finally moved to the top of the Seychelles Football Federation Premier League table following their 1-0 win over La Digue-based Anse Reunion, while in the Championship League Real Maldive have extended their lead to 11 points after defeating rivals Bel Air 3-1 in their last match.

Against Anse Reunion, a single goal in the 57th minute from Charles Rakoto following a Lorenzo Hoareau’s cross was enough to steer St Louis to the top on 26 points from eight wins, two draws and two defeats out their 12 matches played.

The defeat placed Anse Reunion one spot before last on the table, having garnered 10 points from three victories, one draw and eight defeats out their 12 matches played.

Foresters, on the other hand, are now third overall after losing 1-2 to Pointe Larue Bazar Brothers in their last encounter at Stad Linite.

The Pointe Larue side took the lead in the 21st minute of the match through Graham Cafrine, a score which remained until half-time, before Evariste Rakotondrahaja doubled their lead in the 76th minute.

Foresters managed to pull a goal back in the 83rd minute through Warren Mellie, but it was too little too late for the defending champions as they lost the match 1-2 to tumble to third place overall.

They now have 23 points from seven wins, two draws and three defeats out of 12 matches played.

Following the win, PTL Bazar Brothers are now seventh overall on 13 points from three wins, four draws and five defeats.

Praslin side LightStars are presently occupying the second spot on the league table on 24 points, following their 1-0 victory over Defence Forces FC in their last league match.

After a goalless first half, it was Nirina Angericot who scored the match’s only goal in the 77th minute to give LightStars the win and three points, moving up into the second overall spot.

LightStars of coach Ted Esther have now collected 24 points from seven wins, three draws, and two defeats.

As for Defence Forces Fc, the defeat keeps them as tail-enders on eight points from a single win, five draws and six defeats from 12 matches played.

The other La Digue team in the Premier League, La Passe, are presently fourth on 20 points following their 0-4 defeat at the hands of Northern Dynamo in their last match at Stad Amitié.

La Passe have now collected 20 points following six wins, two draws and four defeats out of their 12 matches played.

As for Northern Dynamo, the win places them eighth overall on 11 points from three wins, two draws and seven defeats.

In the other Premier League match played during the weekend, Praslin side Côte d’Or outscored St Michel 3-2 to win the five-goal thriller and maintain the fifth overall spot.

It was St Michel who took the lead in the 8th minute Soloniaina Ratovonanahari, before Hasina Ramaroson equalised for Côte d’Or in the 22nd minute of the match.

Côte d’Or took the lead for the first time in the 26th minute through Ranaivo Tahiana’s, before Eli Sopha equalised for St Michel in the 43rd minute, tying the match at 2-2 at the halftime whistle.

Despite both teams pushing forward in the second half for the winning goal, it was Côte d’Or who took all three points when Stephan Morgan scored in the 78th minute to seal the win for the Praslin side.

Côte d’Or have now collected 18 points from five wins, three draws and four defeats, while the defeat keeps St Michel sixth overall on 14 points after four wins, two draws and six defeats.

SFF Championship League

After 10 victories and a single defeat out of 11 matches played, Real Maldive are definitely focused on playing top flight football next season, having cruised an 11-point lead over second-placed Bel Air in the Championship standings.

In their last league match against the latter, Real Maldive of coach Don Anacoura scored thrice to extend their lead.

Real Maldive opened the score in the 3rd minute through Jocelyn Fenosoa with a free-kick and he doubled their lead only a few minutes later, on another dead-ball situation.

Silvio Adrienne then made it 3-0 for Real Maldive in the 27th minute of play, just after the match had resumed following a brief stoppage due to heavy downpour.

Only a minute later, Noris Bibi scored for Bel Air, cutting Real Maldive’s lead to 3-1, and despite the efforts from both teams, 3-1 remained the final score.

Real Maldive are now comfortably on top, having garnered 30 points, while Fenosoa is the league’s top scorer with 16 goals.

Bel Air remain second on 19 points from six wins, one draw, and three defeats, ahead of third-placed Tigers who are also on 19 points from five wins, four draws and one defeat out of their 10 matches played.

In their last league match, Tigers drew 2-2 against Au Cap.

The draw keeps Au Cap seventh overall on eight points from two wins, two draws, and six defeats.

Praslin side Revengers are presently fourth in the ranking on 16 points from five victories, one draw and four defeats out of 10 matches played.

In their last match, Revengers fell 1-3 at the hands of Rovers who are now fifth on 14 points from four wins, two draws and three defeats out of their nine matches played.

Marine Maintenance, who drew 3-3 against Mont Fleuri in their last match, are now sixth overall on 12 points from three wins, three draws and four defeats, while the draw keeps Mont Fleuri at the bottom on six points.

They have registered a single win, three draws and six defeats out of their 10 league matches played.

LMS United are presently ranked eighth overall on seven points from two wins, one draw and five defeats from eight outings.

They are one spot ahead of Bosco who are ninth, also on seven points, after two wins, one draw and seven defeats from nine outings.

The two will clash tonight at Stad Linite.

Compiled by Roland Duval