After 11 hours of flight, the players from Aubervilliers arrived well this Monday morning in Saint-Denis de la Réunion. But the delegation lost two players. Patrick Etshimi and Kassim Coulibaly were unable to board at Charles-de-Gaulle with their teammates because of expired papers. A blow for coach Rachid Youcef, already deprived of Malagasy international Lalaina Nomenjanahary and Jonley Cherry (family obligations). For Sunday’s match, he therefore only had 15 players left (including two goalkeepers). Former Guinean international Ousmane Sidibé (37), who stopped his career this year to strengthen the staff, could be on the score sheet if necessary.
But good news arrived in the evening. Kassim Coulibaly was able to resolve his situation and was able to fly. He will join his teammates on Tuesday morning. For Patrick Etshimi, however, it is definitely over.
” It’s going to be complicated. We have to be ready”
But these annoyances did not dampen the pleasure of the players. When they arrived at the airport, they were greeted by several cameras. They then took a 45-minute bus to reach the Akoya Hotel and Spa in La Salines-les-Bains (five stars). A dream setting…
“This afternoon, we took a short walk on the beach and then a nap, says captain Nouha Camara. Then a little jogging. We went to bed quite early because with the fatigue of the trip, we need rest. The serious things will begin this morning. Coach Rachid Youcef has scheduled two training sessions. “We are not at the club and I am not a camp monitor, warned the coach. You need a minimum of discipline. Especially since we are really expected. La Tamponnaise thinks that as we are a team of N3, they have every chance. It’s going to be complicated. We have to be ready. »