Team Seychelles experienced a day of contrasting emotions on the football pitch at the 13th edition of the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games, as the girls’ team pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory against Mauritius, while the boys were edged out 2-1 by a well-organised Madagascar side.
In what was arguably the highlight of the day, the Seychelles girls stunned a confident Mauritian team with a determined performance built on discipline, teamwork, and heart. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Kinshasa Moustache coolly slotted home the only goal of the match following a well-executed counterattack.
Despite sustained pressure from Mauritius in the second half, Seychelles held firm, with the backline absorbing waves of attack and goalkeeper and captain Lucinda Agathine making crucial saves to preserve the narrow lead. The final whistle sparked celebrations as the underdogs from Seychelles earned three valuable points and a confidence boost heading into their next group fixture.
In contrast, the boys’ match told a different story. Facing a technically sharp Madagascar side, Seychelles found themselves chasing the game early on. Madagascar capitalised on defensive lapses to score twice in the first half, putting the hosts on the back foot from the outset.
Seychelles showed greater urgency in the second half and began to create more opportunities. Their efforts were finally rewarded in the 64th minute when Danny Radegonde found the back of the net, narrowing the gap and igniting hope of a comeback.
The goal briefly lifted the tempo and the home crowd, but despite their best efforts, Seychelles couldn’t find the equaliser.
With both teams now having experienced the highs and lows of competition, attention shifts to their upcoming group matches, with the girls looking to continue their winning momentum, while the boys will aim to bounce back and keep their semi-final hopes alive.
