The Black Devils of Combani are leaving the French Football Cup through the front door. After being cleared of accusations of cheating by the federation, the Mahorais lost on the Corsican pitch this Wednesday evening for the 8th round. They were beaten 2-0 by USC Corté.
The adventure of the French Football Cup ended this Wednesday, November 20 for the Black Devils of Combani. The Mahorais were eliminated 2-0 by the Corsicans of USC Corté, resident of national 3, in the 8th round. Combani was able to resist until the end, before cracking in the final moments of the match with two goals scored in the 84th minute and during added time, in the 98th minute, on a final Corsican counter-attack.
USC Corté did not miss any chances during the first half, but the strong winds which blew on the field, and which delayed the kick-off for a quarter of an hour, did not did not help the players of both teams. Four Combani footballers were injured in a short time, two of whom had to be evacuated to the university hospital. “It's not easy, but I only remember the positive, we are proud of our young people, they honored the department“, greets the coach of the Black Devils. “That's the high level, we learn, but we will continue to work.”
The Corsicans wanted to congratulate the Mahorais footballers, giving them a guard of honor and applause for their return to the locker room. The Black Devils were not even sure of being able to play, they were cleared by the federation during the day, after the appeal filed by their opponent in the previous round, US Crépy-en-Valois. Their qualification in the 8th round was also an achievement, while seven players had to stay in Combani, deprived of travel because they were in an irregular situation. The Mahorais will be able to benefit from the popular jubilation on their return this Saturday to Mayotte.
“We would like to apologize to all those who hoped for a different outcome, especially to the young people who put aside their studies to support us in this adventure.“, wrote the club on its Facebook page after the meeting, thanking the “elected officials who sometimes have put aside their political concerns to defend Mayotte and support our young people“and addressing”to those who ignored us and called us 'delinquents', good luck.” A reference in particular to the deputy of the National Rally Anchya Bamana, who contacted the prefecture to request the regularization of the players. In his refusal to accept, the prefect had specified that two of the seven players concerned were unfavorably known to the forces of the 'order.
The Black Devils have already been able to break the glass ceiling of the seventh round which saw their elimination in 8-1 by FC Annecy in 2022 and that of AS Rosador last year, beaten 6-1 by Alès. The Mzouazia Twins achieved the feat in 2021 of reaching the 32nd finals. The club was then eliminated 10-0 by the Girondins de Bordeaux, a record for the Bordelais.
