Having qualified at the expense of AFAD of Côte d'Ivoire, SOAR Académie has entered the group stages of a CAF interclub competition for the first time. A first for this Guinean club founded in 2008.
Historic qualification
Defeated 1-2 in Conakry in the first leg, SOAR Academy found the resources to turn things around and beat AFAD 2-0 on Ivorian soil. The victory secured the Guinean club's ticket to the CAF Cup group stages. A result which is the fruit of many years of hard work within the club, but also one which propels the team into another dimension, says the club's general secretary. "We're delighted to see SOAR reach this level. Several years of hard work have been rewarded," says Abdourahmane Sylla. He continues: "From the club's creation in 2008 to this qualification for the CAF Cup, we've been through all kinds of emotions. And now we're savoring this qualification and looking ahead to the next round. And now we're in the big league, we'll have to do what's necessary to make up the numbers," he points out.
Promoted to Ligue 1 in 2017 under the name Club Olympique de Coyah, it wasn't until 2020 that the club changed its name to Super Olympien d'une Afrique Renaissante (SOAR). In fact, since its promotion to the League, the club has never been out of the top flight, to the point of becoming a serious contender for African places. The club's best result came in 2022, when it finished runner-up in the Guinean league. The club will also take part in the Champions League qualifiers. "What characterizes SOAR Académie is its consistency. In six years in the top flight, we've been pretty consistent, always aiming to qualify for interclub competitions," says Abdourahmane Sylla.
In 2022, the novice's adventure was short-lived on the continental stage. Les Académiciens were eliminated in the first preliminary round by AS Nigelec of Niger. A premature end to their adventure which enabled the club to gain experience to the point of securing their ticket for the group stages of the CAF Cup."It's not easy when you're discovering interclub competitions for the first time.The first experience was a learning curve. And now we've used that experience to capitalize. And the result has paid off, with a ticket to the group stages of the CAF Cup," says the club's general secretary.
"We hope to go as far as possible
Having qualified for the group stages, the club's ambitions have been revised upwards. The club's general secretary announces the arrival of new players."With the demands of the top level, we're going to strengthen the team with certain players. We'll make sure there's a balance," says Abdourahmane Sylla."There are players available to the club who have not yet been registered. We're going to work hard to ensure that the club has quality players," promises the general secretary.
The only Guinean representative in the CAF Cup this season, SOAR Académie has the onerous responsibility of trying to maintain the Guinean soccer index. As novices, it remains to be seen whether the Academiciens will have what it takes to get out of the group stages.
