Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) League One |29 March 2025

Mavericks upset St Louis Challengers 4-1 on Thursday at Stad Popiler (Photo: Samuel Nalletamby)  

Mavericks outclass St Louis Challengers

Mavericks overcame an early penalty and scored four goals in a dominant show at Stad Popiler on Thursday night, earning them a 4-1 victory over St Louis Challengers.

Mavericks against St Louis Challengers in the first round was a fixture that showed the latter as a team with great capability.

Since then they had dispatched Mont Buxton, and gathered points against Glacis. Though their points tally impressed few, the growth in their performances was undeniable.

From the kick-off, both sides switched on as they understood that victory was highly possible. Though there was little to be contested through the result of the fixture, pride was on the line. St Louis Challengers drew first blood when Hadil Adrienne scored on penalty in the ninth minute to give them a 1-0 lead.

Mavericks reacted immediately and equalised in the 16th minute through a goal by Kenan Esparon.

In the 18th minute, Mavericks, who had reversed the momentum, took the lead when Rahim Tirant struck the ball into the back of the net.

The half had one more goal left which was scored just before the 40th minute through a shot by Maverick’s Tyron Barbe, giving Mavericks a 3-1 half-time lead.

St Louis Challengers had some bright sparks in the second half, but Mavericks shut down any comeback chances with a fourth goal in the 54th minute from Santatra Nomenjanahary. A goal which was also the last goal of the match as Mavericks grabbed the three points in a 4-1 win.

With 17 matches already played, St Louis Challengers have officially cemented themselves in eighth position in their first ever season as a club in the Seychelles Football Federation League One.

Meanwhile, Mavericks are left with a slim chance for a sixth or fifth-place finish, but they will need maximum points as well as some luck to make that happen.

Samuel Nalletamby