The Vice-champion of Benin, Dadjê FC, who managed to secure a draw (1-1) in his first match in the CAF Confederation Cup, against El Kanemi Warriors FC from Nigeria will be at the front, this Saturday 24 August 2024 at the Mathieu Kérékou Friendship Stadium in Cotonou. On the eve of this crucial match, Dr Eudia Koussihouede, General Director of SONEB Sports S.A looks back on the first leg, discusses the preparations and talks about the arrangements made for a good organization with a victory for the Beninese.
What do you remember from Dadjè FC’s season? ?
Little Thumb of the League 2 some time ago, Dadjè FC burst onto the national football scene approximately 3 years. So, It is clear that the Couffo club has experienced a meteoric rise over the different seasons.. Part of the kingmakers of the Beninese championship, the People's Club impressed Beninese football fans day after day with its performances. And the season that has just passed (2023-2024) was the season of confirmation for Dadjè. In Pro League, the club supported by the National Water Company of Benin (SONEB) Sports, finished best attack with 29 goals in 16 games played. 1er de la zone B, the People's Club garnered 11 victories including one memorable 6-1 against Loto Popo, 2 null and 3 small defeats. But it was in the Super Ligue Pro that Dadjè confirmed his domination. In 24 matches played, the club supported by SONEB Sports S.A recorded 14 victories, 05 null and 5 defeats for 30 goals scored and 17 goals conceded. Impressive fact, composure, the strong mentality and the attitude of the team to overturn difficult situations in the middle of a match have led the lovers of the round leather to cling to the club. And to end the season in style, they won one of the qualifying places for the African competitions by occupying second place behind Coton Fc. A first in the history of the club.
1-1 on the way out, it was not a foregone conclusion. How did the DG follow this match from the stands ?
It was not easy from my position to experience this situation in a foreign territory. Our strengths are composure and concentration on the set objectives. They allowed us to have a team attitude to reverse difficult situations in the middle of a match.. Indeed, pour son premier match continental, Dadjè was close to achieving a feat on the road against El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria in the first round of the Caf Cup. Thanks to his Ghanaian recruit, Selasie Bless BAKAI with the support of SONEB Sports S.A, the Aplahoué club opened the scoring in the 28th minute. As they held the match, the Beninese are caught at the end of added time with an equalizer from Jiji Gimba. 1-1 score final. We had a pleasant match.
The return match is coming. How Dadjè FC is preparing ?
Since our return from Nigeria, the supervision continued for the last touches to be made. I feel the players are very attentive and determined to achieve the first objective which is to reach the group stage.. We keep sharp, our hope for Saturday 24 August 2024 at the General Mathieu Kérékou Friendship Stadium in Cotonou. For us, this goal scored away keeps a flame alive that must be rekindled in Cotonou in front of our public, thus revealing our country Benin in an even more luminous way on the sporting field.
All the details (officials tickets, treatment of players, entrance tickets, practical organization) around are they settled ?
We are on the home stretch. On the aspect of officials management, everything is already done, the tickets are sent and the first are already on Beninese territory. All the amenities are there and SONEB Sports ensures elite accommodation conditions., catering and travel to our officials. Regarding the treatment of players, they are all confident and reassured of the system that is put in place. As for entry tickets, we planned 8000 free places and 2000 paid VIP seats (2000 F CFA le ticket). Tickets are available on several sites (Hall of Arts, Agla Sports Center, Aplahoué Stadium, Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto-Novo and René Pleven Field). It is important to note that entry is free but not free. You will have to collect your free ticket on one of the distribution sites to hope to be part of it.. Regarding practical organization, we are there on several levels. First, in terms of communication, the Press team has been formed and the directions have already been given. As well, Has a team from the production unit already done the scouting and is available to capture the competitions for broadcast on national television channels?. Ensuite, in terms of health and hygiene, teams of doctors, firefighters, Red Cross, SAMU and others are also available to support the event. Finally, in terms of security, under the leadership of the Central Commissioner of Cotonou, a visit to the stadium made it possible to define the safe zone of the event.
A call to launch ?
I would simply like to ask the population of Benin in general and that of Aplahoué in particular to come and share this moment of happiness.. This is your joy, this is our joy, it is the joy of the whole of Benin. their support for Beninese basketball and Beninese youth will be beneficial for our country Benin.