“On a Monaco that came out well …”
Stade Poitevin (N3) – RC Lens (L1) The former defender of the two clubs could not honor the invitation of the SPFC, but Ferdinand Coly is passionate about the poster.
Poitiers – Lens. His name became evident from the draw for this round of the Coupe de France, held on Monday, November 29. Ferdinand Coly, orphan very early, arrived in Poitiers at the age of 21, Senegalese international, arrive the two opponents of this unprecedented 32nd of the Cup played this Sunday, December 19. One of the three disputed on the soil of the Center-Ouest (as we said before), with Chauvigny – C’Chartres and Panazol – Vitré.
” I will be
in front of my TV “
“Ferdi” embodies all that football has to offer. Authenticity, generosity, loyalty. The ex-player is reflected in the 48-year-old man who has retained the freshness of his 20 years. The child of Dakar never pretends. When he laughs, it’s throaty. When he gets involved, it is thoroughly, like the land he cultivates with eight young people, including several orphans, in Saly in Senegal. “I’m not ashamed to go to the fields, it’s a pride, a passion, he says in a video. I even offered the lemons at the start … ” That’s all him!
Only, when it is attacked, the lamb turns into a lion. He was thus the first player to have a club (Hellas Verona) condemned for racist remarks. He was also pugnacious when he was scammed. “It was not Ferdinand Coly that we looted, he said in substance. It is a 100% Senegalese company that we have betrayed. I fought for my country. ” In short, he was ideally suited to be the icing on the Cup cake. On this Sunday, December 19, the leaders of the Stade Poitevin imagined seeing the idol of yesterday treading on Michel-Amand, where he revealed himself, facing Lens where he exploded, to kick off in front of 5,000 enthusiastic spectators. The ace.
“I cannot honor this wonderful invitation, he regrets from Dakar. I have some business to take care of. If I go away for a few days, it’s quickly a mess. We are in Africa … “, he blurted out with a burst of laughter that seemed to awaken the past. In two years in Poitiers, the former Libournais with contagious good humor lived a fairy tale. “Some may have forgotten, not me! I am proud of the titles won. All without exception. That of National with Poitiers (1995), followed by a full season in D2 which allowed me to sign at Châteauroux, with the D2 title at stake (1997). “
A third, with the RC Lens, could have completed the collection. Perhaps the greatest pain of his career. “The African Cup of Nations (vice champion) Cost us the title of champion of France 2002. We were up to eight points ahead … then two on our return from Can. It all happened in the last match in Lyon (defeat 3-1). In the end, we give up the title at OL for two points. We had a p … team. “ The Sikora, Warmuz, Diouf, Coulibaly, Walemme, Blanchard, Coridon, Moreira and the late Papa Bouba Diop in particular. “His death was a blow to me, I reconnected with President Gervais Martel on this occasion. “ Lens remains in his heart forever.
“ I always correspond with the supporters. I was injured when I arrived in Lens but the fervor and support of the public allowed me to hang on, get up and challenge a semi-final of the UEFA Cup (2000), to also discover the Champions League (2002). The human warmth of the people of the North erases the harshness of the climate. In Lens, on foot lives 24 hours a day. A unique club. “
“I’m going to do the tour
of my old clubs ”
In Poitiers, the passion had swelled over the rounds of the Coupe de France 1994-1995. With at the head of the gondola the historic victory at the expense of AS Monaco on February 4, 1995 in the round of 16 in front of nearly 9,000 spectators (2-1). The achievements of Lagnaoui and Billac had set La Pépinière ablaze. Ferdinand Coly had muted a certain Sony Anderson, drawing the rest of a flamboyant career. Ironically, the Cup will stop … in Châteauroux in the round of 16 (1-4).
“Ah, Monaco! It was giant, remembers Ferdi. If we had beaten ASM, Poitiers could well get out of Lens, right? “ Obviously, his feelings lean in favor of his first professional club. “I support Petit Poucet, we are always for Petit Poucet, he specifies. The Cup is heightened emotion, you just have to really believe in it, not to be subjected to events. “
The poster hits the mark. “This match brings back many memories, I would have loved to come and share it with the Poitevins and Lensois supporters. Is it televised? I will be in front of my post! You announce it, in 2022, I will be touring my old clubs. I will pass through Poitiers and Lens, without forgetting Châteauroux which is close to my heart. “
It is in the Indre that Terry, his brilliant 25-year-old son, uttered his first cry. “He’s a real Berrichon, he laughs. He completed a doctorate in philosophy in Bordeaux, then it will be the Capes and teaching. “
Far from the round ball, from Senegal, the jerseys that line the walls of his house in Dakar. “None is missing, I attach as much importance to the outfit of Poitiers in the National as the jersey of the France team 2002, during our historic victory in the World Cup (1-0, he was the holder). I want to die with this in front of my eyes … “ As late as possible, please!
son routeIn total, Ferdinand Coly has played more than 400 professional career matches for 38 registered names. General coordinator for the selection of Senegal, from 2012, he left his post.
> His clubs: Poitiers (1994-1996), Châteauroux (1996-1999), RC Lens (1999-2003), Birmingham (loaned six months in 2002), Perugia, Italy (2003-2005), Parma, Italy (2005- 2008).
> His club titles: French National champion with Poitiers (1995), French D2 champion with Châteauroux (1997), French vice-champion with Lens (2002), semi-finalist of the UEFA Cup with Lens ( eliminated against Arsenal in 2000).
> 44 Selections: finalist of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002 (Senegal), quarter-finalist of the 2002 World Cup (Japan / South Korea).