Seychelles has issued a statement ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Kenya
The Seychelles Football Federation has unveiled a strategic approach to the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, turning them into valuable preparatory matches for building a formidable national team.
Despite a challenging start with a 9-0 defeat against the powerhouse Ivory Coast in their Group F opener, the Seychelles national team, under the guidance of Coach Rapl Jean Louis, remains optimistic and is gearing up for their upcoming match against Kenya.
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In a statement, the Seychelles Football Federation outlined their long-term vision, emphasizing the importance of these qualifiers in shaping the future of Seychellois football.
"Looking back at our FIFA World Cup qualifiers game against Ivory Coast, a continental giant whose players compete in some of the world’s top clubs, our long-term objective is to build a team to perform well at the next Indian Ocean Games in 4 years, by preparing young players for international football standards. We are preparing the future of our national team now," the statement reads.
The Seychelles Football Federation lauded the players for achieving some of the set objectives by Coach Jean Louis.
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Despite the challenging circumstances, the athletic performance of the players met the coach's expectations, reflecting the hard work invested in recent months.
"In terms of mental objectives, the team showed strong solidarity and kept fighting till the final whistle. In terms of athletic objectives, our players met the Head Coach’s expectations. The hard work accomplished in the last few months is paying off," the statement notes.
Emphasizing the importance of preparing for the future, the statement highlighted the valuable experience gained by younger players during the match against Ivory Coast.
"In preparing for the future, our younger players gained considerable experience, and our senior players demonstrated leadership and provided valuable guidance," the statement affirmed.
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In the match aganist Ivory Coast, Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller initiated the goal spree against Ivory Coast, scoring on the 20th minute, with Karim Konate from Salzburg concluding the scoring five minutes into added time.
Despite the scoreline, the Seychelles team gained valuable experience, particularly the younger players, who are considered the future of Seychellois football.
As Seychelles gears up for their second FIFA World Cup qualifiers game against Kenya, the focus remains on the development of the team.
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The match against Kenya provides Seychelles with another opportunity to assess their progress and implement lessons learned from the Ivory Coast clash.
The federation is keen on fostering a winning mentality and believes that these qualifiers are crucial building blocks for future success.
While Seychelles, a picturesque tourist destination off the east coast of Africa, currently ranks 195th in the FIFA rankings, 85 places below Kenya, the federation is determined to use this as a foundation for growth.
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