Arriving just a year ago from Sébazac, captain Benjamin Higonenc is already essential in Guillaume Laneau's squad (R2). He who is living a waking dream for his first with Dame Coupe, which will lead him to face Le Puy (N2), Saturday November 16 (7 p.m.), during the 7th round of the competition. Encounter.
Like his teammate and goalkeeper Valentin Dahak, Benjamin Higonenc is competing in the most prestigious French competition for his first season, with stars in his eyes. A discovery which allows Comtal's recovery midfielder to immerse himself fully in the adventure without thinking about the next day.
“We were keen to go far in this event. It's the favorite cup when you're a player. Already reaching the 5th round was a record for the club, then the 6th and 7th. We're living a waking dream”tells the story of the man who, until November 1, 2023, had only known one club: Raf. A first with Lady Cut, therefore, due to his young age (21 years), but also to his loyalty to the blood and gold club. The native of Rodez had essentially squatted the III team in Regional 2, after going through the youth teams. And this despite a final preparation with the R1 group in the summer of 2023, under Florent Rech.
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The choice between football and work
“I started to look at Comtal's performances since their accession to R2, because I suspected that the choice between work and football would soon arrive. I knew I could no longer combine the two. Therefore, I had already spoken with Guillaume (Laneau, the coach) last summer (2023), we had even met but I wanted to persevere in Rodez to try to go as high as possible”recalls the man who is now an advisor in a bank in the Ruthenian area.
And even if the Caussenard midfield ball scratcher had joined forces with Rodez, the choice arrived earlier than expected. “Very shortly after, I had the opportunity to be hired after having been on a work-study program. I could no longer participate in all the training with Rodez. So I left Raf for Comtal.” As if it were obvious.
Benjamin does not arrive in unknown territory since he finds Virgyl Durand, the big brother of Castonetois Eloïs with whom he had played in the 17 year old national blood and gold. “It’s a real group of friends, there is both the family and competitive side”he continues.
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“We worked tactically all week”
The integration is happening at great speed, to the point that he quickly took the captain's armband, as previously with the third Ruthenian team. “It's a source of pride, it brings additional motivation, to have this duty to set an example. I take this role very seriously. It's perhaps also due to the fact that I was captain with Rodez. Guillaume knew that I I had already had this role.”
As we approach this high-level duel against Le Puy, leader of its National 2 group and quarter-finalist of the last edition, the excitement is at its peak, to dream of continuing the adventure, even if the task seems very difficult this time. Higonenc does not want to be defeatist, however. “The level will go up another notch after two N3 formations, but why not. They have only conceded three goals this season, that's solid. We worked tactically all week to counter them.”
The Causenards will have an advantage: that of playing the match on the natural lawn of La Roque in Onet-le-Château, rather than the synthetic Sébazacois. “There will be more fights, more duels on grass. We will have a bit more luck, although we are less used to it. The public will boost us. When it is more complicated during our weak times, we will “We may have more pressure at kick-off but it will galvanize us.”he finishes, impatient to fight.
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