On December 22, 2024, Angers SCO emerged victorious against FC 93 Bobigny, winning 1-0 during the Coupe de France 32nd finals. This hard-fought match showcased the determination of both teams, but it was Esteban Lepaul's brilliant goal at the 66th minute which sealed the deal for Angers, allowing them to advance to the next round.
The encounter took place at Bobigny, attracting close to 3,000 spectators who witnessed the clash between Ligue 1 Angers and National 2 Bobigny. The home team entered the match with high hopes, especially after eliminating the Red Star (L2) earlier, but faced the uphill challenge of competing against professional players.
Initially, the game appeared evenly matched, with both sides trading chances. Angers struggled to find their rhythm early on, hampered by missed opportunities from Brahima Niane, who failed to capitalize twice before the break (15th and 24th minutes). Bobigny, on the other hand, impressed with solid performances, with Melvin Zinga thwarting their early chances and keeping the scoreline one-sided at halftime.
FC 93 Bobigny showed glimpses of their potential with dangerous plays, including attempts from Cheikne Traoré and Reda Kaddouri, which tested the Angers goalkeeper. "The boys held their own against the pros," noted Bobigny's manager, Mohamed Coulibaly, acknowledging the efforts made by his team.
The second half saw Angers grow more assertive. Coach A. Dujeux emphasized the need for his players to remain focused and maintained, "We were closer to each other to exploit the balls; we were more at ease." This was evident when Lepaul received the ball from Zinedine Fehrat, pivoted, and scored with finesse, hitting the right post and netting the game-winning goal
Despite trailing, Bobigny refused to back down. They pushed hard, launching long balls directed at the Angers defense to find the equalizer. Angers’ defense held firm under pressure, aided by solid performances from their backline, who consistently managed to clear potential threats.
Angers SCO's win secured their position for the next round, where they will face QRM from the National league. Reflecting on the match, Dujeux expressed satisfaction with his team's performance post-victory, stating simply, "We came to qualify, and the objective was achieved."
For FC 93 Bobigny, this defeat marked the end of their hopes for the 2024-2025 Coupe de France campaign, as they missed the opportunity to advance to the 16th finals, having not secured advancement since their last appearance. Another historic moment slipped away from them ten years after their inaugural exit at this stage.
Overall, this 1-0 result for Angers reflects the resilience and determination typically found within cup competitions, where lower-league teams often battle valiantly against formidable opponents. Angers SCO will be eager to build momentum as they progress, aiming to navigate the subsequent rounds of the tournament.
