Champion of the Indian Ocean Zone, Vautour Club Labattoir (PNM) is preparing to take on a monumental challenge this weekend in the 1/16 final of the Coupe de France against Gennevilliers (NM2). This meeting promises to be a historic moment for the club and for Mayotte.
The Mahorese team arrives in mainland France crowned with its regional success. Last December, the Vautour Club won the final of the Regional Cup against the Reunion team of La Tamponnaise (76-52). However, the context of this qualification remains exceptional: the island of Mayotte was hit by a cyclone which left profound after-effects, particularly on sports infrastructures. Coach Insa Soufou confides: “Since the cyclone, everything has stopped in Mayotte. Our gyms are unusable, all local competitions have been canceled until next season. » These circumstances complicated the club's preparation for this historic meeting, but they did not dampen their determination.
This move goes far beyond the sporting framework. For Mayotte, still reeling from the cyclone, the club represents a symbol of hope and resilience. “Through us, the whole island is represented,” explains the coach. “If we can offer a little happiness to our compatriots, it will be the greatest gift. » Insa Soufou also recognizes the importance of this escape for his players: “Being here, far from the post-cyclone realities, allows the team to breathe a little. It's a break, certainly short, but precious to forget the difficulties of everyday life. »
Facing Gennevilliers, the Vautour Club will have to face a team used to Nationale 2 games, two divisions above the Mahorais. The coach admits the difficulty: “It's not day and night, but almost. Our players, often under 1.90 m, will face exteriors taller than 2 meters. It's another level. » Despite these disparities, the team will rely on its solidarity and the experience of certain executives like Kadri Moendadze, former professional player in Pro B, who has become a central figure in the collective. “Kadri is a real relay for me on the pitch. His sporting and human experience is precious in these moments,” underlines Soufou.
The Mahorais know that they will have a hard time facing Gennevilliers, but they are ready to take up the challenge. “If we manage to hook them, it will already be a victory,” says Soufou with humility. The determination of the Vautour Club, driven by a spirit of solidarity, promises an intense meeting. For Mayotte, this match is much more than a simple sporting confrontation: it is an opportunity to show the rest of the country that, even in adversity, the island remains standing.
