One To Watch
Abdoulaye Touré: Timely Form Boosts Le Havre’s Survival Hopes
The defensive midfielder made an impressive start to the season, contributing four goals in the first 10 Ligue 1 McDonald’s matchdays, especially considering his primary role isn’t focused on attacking.
Midway through the season, though, Touré suffered a setback. He sustained a Rib fracture, which resulted in him missing five matches and slowing down the momentum he generated from the start of the season.
Since coming back from injury, Touré has found his rhythm in front of goal, netting five times in his last four Ligue 1 McDonald’s appearances, including a brace against FC Nantes. His scoring surge couldn’t be better timed with the season winding down and Le Havre pushing to remain in France’s top flight.
Didier Digard’s side have picked up points in four of their last five matches, including three wins and a draw, with Touré playing a key role thanks to a strong run of form.
Following their win over Montpellier Hérault SC this past weekend, Le Havre have climbed out of the relegation playoff spot, though they sit just one point ahead of 16th-place Stade de Reims.
In September, Touré spoke with Flashscore France and noted that the goal for this season was to remain in Ligue 1 McDonald’s.
“We know very well that this is a club with a small budget—we saw that during the transfer window, which didn’t really move much. The objective is to at least do better than last season, to stabilize the club in Ligue 1, and to show that we do have the ability to remain in the top division.”
“After that, we’ll see, but like I said, the priority is to get comfortably settled in the league, to show that Le Havre deserves its place in Ligue 1.”
Le Havre have six matches left on the schedule, and every point matters in a tight relegation battle. Just four points separate 14th-place Angers SCO from 17th-place AS Saint-Etienne, who are currently in the drop zone.
Touré is backing up his leadership with his play on the pitch when the team needs it most, and that combination could be precisely what keeps Le Havre in Ligue 1 McDonald’s next season.
With four matchdays remaining, Syli National trail Mozambique by five points for the second-place playoff spot. The international fixtures in September will be crucial for Touré and his teammates as he told Sport News Africa.
"For my part, participating in an Africa Cup of Nations was already unthinkable, but thinking about the World Cup would be unimaginable because Guinea has never participated in a World Cup. To be ranked so well, on the doorstep of qualification, even though there are still quite a few games left, it is definitely achievable."
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