Just before the national team departed from Seychelles for their World Cup qualifiers with Ivory Coast and Kenya, Seysoccer had the chance to interview Seychelles Football Federation Technical Director, Osama Haroun. We spoke about the new national team setup and the expectations going into the next two international matches with a young but promising team.
Seysoccer: How is the new coaching team preparing the national team for the matches against Ivory Coast and Kenya?
Osama Haroun: The preparation was challenging due to the clubs’ involvement in national competitions. We have a new French fitness coach. The pre-selection players underwent physical and technical tests to evaluate their fitness levels and technical abilities. The results were sent to Mr. Éric Pascholski, a physical fitness professor at the University of Aix-en-Provence, France. Each player has a personalised program based on their test results. Additionally, parallel technical work has been conducted.
Seysoccer: Did the team conduct any scouting on Ivory Coast and Kenya, or will they primarily focus on showcasing themselves as a young and inexperienced team in these matches?
Osama Haroun: We have prepared the matches to provide our young players with maximum experience. We have videos and have conducted detailed analyses of our opponents. While our goals are aligned with the progression of our players, the main focus remains on changing mentalities and fostering athletic development, without neglecting technical abilities.
Seysoccer: How are the players adapting to the demands of playing at this level?
Osama Haroun: For now, they are mostly in a phase of discovery and excitement.
Seysoccer: What measures have been taken to compensate for the limited experience of many players?
Osama Haroun: We focus on both the quantity and quality of training, ensuring that they have international exposure to learn and develop their skills on an international level.
Seysoccer: How has the team been preparing with limited support from local clubs?
Osama Haroun: First and foremost, it is important to acknowledge and express gratitude to the clubs that have supported Seychelles national team. Specifically, I would like to highlight and focus on the clubs that have provided assistance, such as La Passe, Bel Air, Rovers, and others.
With that being said, we also hold a share of responsibility in our planning, but there are solutions! I cannot hide the fact that I was disappointed to see some coaches not supporting the national team after following the debate. However, I can affirm that coach Ralph Jean-Louis has taken the time to communicate with all the club coaches.
Seysoccer: How confident is the team ahead of the World Cup qualification matches?
Osama Haroun: Currently, the team is experiencing a lack of confidence, but they are enthusiastic about evaluating themselves and testing their abilities against players who compete at the level of the UEFA Champions League such as those in Ivory Coast and Kenya national teams.
Best of luck in the World Cup Qualifiers, Team Seychelles!
