Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Academies Trophy: Toulouse FC wins the 2nd edition
The second edition of the Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Academy Trophy, organized by Canal+ in Cotonou, Benin, lived up to all expectations. Between talent scouting and learning, African youth football shone.
Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Trophée des Académies: Toulouse FC remporte la 2è édition@canal+
Cotonou’s Stade de l’Amitié Général Mathieu Kérékou buzzed for four days (8 to 12 October) to the rhythm of the Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Academy Trophy, a competition launched by Canal+ to promote young African talents.
Six academies competed in this second edition: four African – USS Kraké (Benin), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast), Génération Foot (Senegal) and Dauphine FC (Cameroon) – and two French (Marseille, Toulouse). « We were wonderfully welcomed, the standard of play was very high », praised Lilian Gatounes, presenter at Canal+. « The young footballers really impressed us. »
Toulouse FC takes the crown
On the pitch, Toulouse FC won the final by beating Dauphine FC of Cameroon (2-0).
« It wasn’t easy, but we managed to stay solid and effective », said Toulouse captain Daren Bic. For his part, Leni Tolonkomo, the Cameroonian captain, acknowledged the opponent’s superiority: « We played well, but Toulouse was more clinical. »
For Edmé Codjo, coach of the Beninese academy US Sèmè Kraké, this competition is « a school of life and football ». « If our youngsters don’t face clubs like Marseille or Toulouse, when will they get the chance? These experiences shape the future Guépards. »
A pan-African project on the rise
Beyond sport, Canal+ Bénin is delighted with the popular and media success of the event, the first reality TV of African football, which has accumulated more than 80 million views on social networks: « It’s a pride for us to host such an event », emphasized Chrismain Babala, communications director of Canal+ Bénin.
“The Academy Trophy is the second major Canal+ production made in Benin, after the pan-African talk show Même pas fatigué, which welcomes African celebrities every month in Cotonou. It’s a great pleasure for us to help make Benin a new Canal+ production hub in Africa.”