It’s a match that will leave the dominant locals with regrets. This 7th round of the French Cup of soccer was played this Saturday, November 16, at Crépy-en-Valois. Too timid during the last gesture, the players from the city of archery let slip a qualification that was reaching out to them. Opposite, despite a team reduced by seven starters, the devils of Combani, who had traveled 9,000 km from their island in the Indian Ocean, finally got the better of their opponents during the penalty shootout.
However, the locals had multiplied the chances during a lively first half where the Mayotte players came close to being punished on numerous occasions. This was without taking into account a defensive axis where central defender Mohamed Lihadji masterfully held the house against the Crépy attacks. Behind him, goalkeeper Rachidi Ali Soihidi was not left out as in this face-to-face match won in the seventh minute. Less than a minute later, Rachidi Ali Soihidi had to work again by punching away a cross from the left. In the tenth minute, Crépy was on the verge of opening the scoring on a direct corner that the goalkeeper slammed over the crossbar. In the eighteenth minute, the public believed in the goal with a violent shot from Crépy striker, Riyas Mokrane. But after overtaking his opposite number, the ball ended up in the small net.
Offensive actions are increasing
Shortly before the lemons, the referee signaled a foul by the visitors in their penalty area for a foot at the head of a Crepy attacker. Under the boos of a white-hot audience, he only awarded an indirect free kick to the locals instead of the hoped-for penalty. At the restart, the game became tougher and the representatives of the 101st department of France began to put their foot on the ball, sometimes using dangerous counterattacks like in the 31st minute when Adwabi Idjabou, the Mahorais will-o-the-wisp, appeared alone in front of a Grégory Varin who magnificently diverted a ball which was going straight into his net. Previously, the same Adwabi Idjabou had a goal disallowed for offside.
As the end of regulation time approached, tension was at its peak in the public. The Mahorese diaspora who came in large numbers and who believed in it more and more, began a “We are at home!” to the tune of the lanterns. Near them, the local supporters enjoyed it moderately, but the atmosphere nevertheless remained good-natured.
Defeated on penalties
During the penalty shootout, the Crépynois suffered two holes while their opponents did not miss a single shot. 4 to 2, history was told and the visitors were able to unleash unbridled joy on a pitch invaded by their supporters. The return to Combani will not be sad and the welcome by the Mahorese population is already looking fantastic at Dzaoudzi airport.
Zerdeb Jariel and Mohamed Jzkoul, the Crépy coaches, spoke before the match of “the charm of the cup” and declared themselves wary of a team located two divisions lower. The conclusion unfortunately proved them right, it is not the coach of the red devils of Combani who will complain, serene at kick-off time.
Combani is one of the 17 communes of Mayotte. The territory obtained the status of overseas department and region (DROM) in 2014. The population is officially 310,000 inhabitants. It is more likely above 400,000, taking into account the massive immigration from the neighboring Comoros.
