→ Monday November 11
The Black Devils land in Paris after twelve hours of flight, then jump on their bus towards Lisses, cradle of the Yamakasi, in Essonne. But not in full: seven players in an irregular situation in Mayotte did not obtain an exemption and therefore remain on the floor, 8,000 kilometers away.
Ambdoulhanyou Ibrahima : “The players went to an internet café to ask to be able to apply for a residence permit. The people at the internet cafes don't really know the procedures and have checked the illness reason. They were wrong. When it comes to the prefect, he sees people who want to go play football with a medical reason. From then on, their applications were not accepted. Elected officials like the mayor and our general councilor saw the prefect to try to resolve the situation, but he did not agree. »
→ Tuesday November 12
First full day on metropolitan soil, and double training session at the Leonard de Vinci Technical Center. Reduced squad requires, the assistant coach comes to fill the contingent of players.
“We strengthened the team as best we could. You never know so we brought back some old guys who weren't playing, old guys who sometimes play with the reserves. We only had ten outfield players, plus three goalkeepers. The assistant coach had to play. »
→ Thursday November 14
The group is expanding somewhat with the successive reinforcements of several young members of the club. Having recently settled in mainland France, they are temporarily putting their studies on hold to help out.
“We called on three student players who were here to strengthen the team. They played with us at the beginning of 2024 then returned to the metropolis for their higher studies after obtaining their baccalaureate. Two arrived on Thursday, but one was injured and could not participate. »
→ Friday November 15
Departure for Senlis, the delegation sets up its belongings at the Ibis hotel, rated 3.5/5 on Tripadvisor, and gets its bearings at the Patrice Cauvin Sports Complex in Crépy-en-Valois, on the eve of its seventh round. The table is set…
→ Saturday November 16
The day of glory has arrived. Carried by the parades of his goalkeeper Rachadi “ Casillas » Ali Soilihi, the Tsingoni club qualifies on penalties against US Crépy-en-Valois (0-0, 2-4 TAB). Having fallen at this stage of the competition in 2017-2018 against Romorantin (10-1) and in 2022-2023 against Annecy (8-1), the Blackos from Mayotte reached the eighth round of the Cup for the first time. The party continues with the help of the losers, who offer the third half in their club house. Fair play.
“We came to the mainland three times, each time we came across some calibers and we conceded a lot of goals. Romorantin, Annecy, it’s fun! This time, we came across an R3 team, inferior on paper. We are playing for the title in Mayotte, we are favorites on paper. We played the game and we were rewarded. After the match, we were able to share with our friends from Crépy. People from our village were also present with local dishes. We ate well! »
→ Monday November 18
The Black Devils are flying again, this time towards Bastia. The mayor of Tsingoni is even on the trip to support the troops. Except that US Crépy-en-Valois has filed an appeal with the FFF. At issue: supposedly falsified medical certificates from the Black Devils…
“We learned on Monday at 11 a.m. that our friends from Crépy had submitted a reservation. On Saturday, we ate together, we chatted well, they were happy to welcome us to their refreshment bar. But behind them, they were preparing something else. We didn't expect that, they should have told us right away. We party together, and behind them they send us a reserve… When you're a man, you say it. How can a club go so far as to look in our files and pull confidential documents and then send them to the federation? This is not normal, the clubs do not have access to this data, it is reserved for the federation and the leagues. The Ligue des Hauts-de-France is suspected of having given information to Crépy. We are convinced that their league went through our confidential documents to annoy us. We didn't digest that. »
→ Tuesday November 19
Match day! Well, that was plan A.
“We followed our program as if nothing had happened. We left to train without knowing if we were playing. After training, the representative of the federation who accompanied us announced the postponement. We received an email at 6:30 p.m. telling us that the match would be played the next day if the federation agreed with us. »
→ Wednesday November 20
This time it's the right one. The federation ratifies the result of Saturday, the Blackos from Mayotte can rub shoulders with USC Corte, resident of N3. However, the step is a little high for the Mahorais club, crucified at the 85e then completed in the 90e+7. The adventure ends at the gates of the 32es final (2-0). The Black Devils will leave France on Friday, after a small shopping session in Paris. Hoping to return next year.
“We had a young squad, who gave everything, in a climate they had never seen. They fought until the 85e minute. It was very windy, it was cold. They didn't have the right equipment, no tights or appropriate underwear. We leave with honors, it was already an achievement to advance to the eighth round. We had moments of crisis but it was a great experience. Now we can enjoy and go home peacefully. The village is waiting for us to celebrate! »
Combani eliminated after controversy
