Leading the league at the end of matchday 10, Hafia FC (19 points) are looking to retain their crown ahead of eternal rivals Horoya AC. The club is embarking on a quest to get back to back. A difficult mission, but not impossible given the current context.
Held to a 0-0 draw by Renaissance FC, Hafia FC (19 points) missed a golden opportunity to take the lead at the top of the league after rivals Horoya AC lost at home to AS Kaloum (0-1, Matchday 10). Although the result was a draw, it enabled them to maintain their position at the top of the table. However, the club's management is not entirely satisfied with the situation. Marco Ibrahima is the club's general secretary. "We're leaders, we have to admit it. We're 60, 70% satisfied on certain points. Even if with all the means we have and taking into account the infrastructures we have, the general observation is that we had to take the lead. We're a leader on goal difference," laments the club's general secretary.
"Overall, we're satisfied with our game. The most important thing is to keep up the pace.Between now and the end of the first phase, we'll continue to set the new pace. However, he is more ambitious. It's true that we're leading on goal difference. But there are things to improve. And we're going to start working on them right away," promises Marco Ibrahima Sory Bah.
An encouraging trip to the savannah
After putting an end to Horoya AC's hegemony by ending eight consecutive league titles, Hafia FC is aiming to once again become the new powerhouse of Guinean soccer. With their league title ahead of Horoya AC, the club has big ambitions.To achieve this, they have already set their sights on retaining their crown. The foundations have already been laid for this difficult task. As the club's general secretary explains, the club has recorded some convincing results in an area that is usually hostile."We travelled well in the Mandingo, which hasn't happened for a long time.We beat Milo FC, even though we lost to SAG," enthuses Marco Ibrahima Sory Bah.
Since the start of the season, Hafia FC have recorded some convincing victories, notably over Milo FC (4-3) and Flamme Olympique (4-1). These successes have kept the club at the top of the league. For Hafia FC's general secretary, this is the fruit of the new direction taken by the club since businessman Kerfalla Camara KPC bought the club in 2013. "That's the objective. We're still Hafia.With all the infrastructure we have, all the players we have and the treatments, we have to repeat this feat. It's a goal we're working relentlessly towards," reassures Marco Ibrahima Sory Bah. Unbeaten against the likes of Horoya AC and CI Kamsar, the club is aiming for a back-to-back.
Hafia FC's optimism stems from the experience acquired in recent seasons on both the national and continental scenes."We've learned how to handle big matches. Last season, we held a big club like Wydad Casablanca to a draw. Not everyone can do that. It's matches like that that teach you how to tackle the big games and in that respect, we think we've matured," says the club's general secretary.
Hafia FC have already begun prospecting for new recruits, to ensure they have every chance of making it to the final sprint. According to Marco Ibrahima Sory Bah, new recruits are expected: "We're three days away from the end of the first leg. We've just come out of a scoping meeting of the executive committee. A number of players who showed great promise during the first half of the season will be joining the club. We're working relentlessly on two or three projects. I think this will enable us to maintain this momentum," hopes the club's general secretary.
In recent seasons, only Horoya AC have managed to retain their championship crown, and for eight seasons running. It remains to be seen whether Hafia FC, with their lofty ambitions, will have the broad shoulders to face up to the competition and retain their crown. They have never won the Guinean championship since 1985.
