Ineffective offensively and overwhelmed by Reunion’s wingers, Club M was eliminated by Reunion in the semi-final of the JIOI 2023 with a score of 2-1. The final will be a replay of the 2007 final between Réunion and Madagascar.
Seeking revenge after being beaten 1-0 by Reunion in the 2007 semi-final and in the 2019 final on penalties, Club M was unable to accomplish its mission. Technically and tactically more efficient than the Mauritians, Reunion remained masters of the game. They opened the scoring just before half-time through Ludovic Lagourde.
After the restart, Club m kept their composure, and this gave Andy Ardapin the opportunity to fire home a powerful shot from 25 metres out in the 47th minute to make it 2-0. Mauritius goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis was not to be blamed for this second goal.
Yannick Aristide gave the Mauritians a glimmer of hope by scoring in the 57th minute. It looked as though the Mauritians were going to throw themselves wholeheartedly into the battle for a comeback, but unfortunately they were unable to raise their offensive game.
In stoppage time, Kevin Jean-Louis was sent off for pushing the Reunion keeper.
The final will be a repeat of the 2007 final between Reunion and Madagascar. The hosts clinched their ticket with a 4-2 win over the Comoros. In 2007 in Tana, Réunion beat Madagascar in the final on penalties.
