Soxten Gilles Yapoga tells us about his Ivorian side, Lahou Essor, who are looking to play a friendly in Italy in December, once their Championship season has finished.
SK: For how long have you coached Lahou Essor FC?
SGY: I discovered this team in 2010 when I was a sports journalist. Since July 1999 I had been coaching, so already had nearly 12 years experience by then. After the departure of the chief coach in 2013, together with 18 players from the club, I have re-established the team with help of the secretary and become their coach and manager.
SK: How was your last season?
SGY: Our last season was very good in the beginning but after all the restructuring we had difficulties that affected our final position, which was seventh with 18 points from 18 games..
SK: How many teams play in the league and who are your main rivals?
SGY: There are 10 clubs in our championship and our rival is Djide of Divo. They recruited in the past 2 seasons 18 players from us, although some of their players came to us. Ths explains the tension between the clubs and the lack of greetings at matches.
SK: Do you have any international players?
SGY: I have two from Morocco; Amari Esmel Cecile and Bakayoko Mariam, both professionals since 2010.
SK: What is good, or not so good, about women’s football in Ivory Coast?
SGY: In my country, women’s football is becoming popular and very famous. There are some international players across Europe and they have an important place in the heart of sporting people. But the big problem is really that we’re not given much consideration and support by the officials of our football association. Our activities need a promotional vision – sponsoring and investment is the crucial problem. For example, in our case we have no partner or sponsor and we live off the support of a great friend and some federal assistance but this is too little to meet our objectives and is a serious handicap for us.
SK: How do you hope to see your team progress?
SGY: We have been very effective this season so far because before the league break due to the national team qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, we had 5 matchdays and 4 victories, losng just once. We were in third position with 12 points and 17 goals and with the resumption we have hope that a good part of our handicap will have been resolved and can restart again in search of victories.
The objectives of Lahou Essor FC is to build a professional women’s football team and we are on the road to that. It’s also necessary to be open to the world, have a window for us and the chance to talk about our club and specifically Ivorian women’s football.
Click here for video of last season’s 4-2 defeat to ESA in the National League.
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