"La Cavée Verte" delivers once again for Le Havre
Le Havre AC were forced to dig deep on Sunday evening at Stade Océane. Depleted by injuries, suspensions and the Africa Cup of Nations, Didier Digard named one of the youngest matchday squads of the Ligue 1 season. Twelve academy-trained players were included, ten of them on the team sheet, as the Ciel et Marine turned to La Cavée Verte in a crucial encounter with Angers.
The gamble paid off.
Youth trusted, youth rewarded
Goalkeeper Paul Argney (19) was handed his first Ligue 1 start, having previously featured in the Coupe de France before the winter break. Calm and assured, the young shot-stopper produced several key saves, notably shortly after Angers’ equaliser, to steady his side at a pivotal moment.
Up front, Kenny Quetant (19) marked his first league start with his maiden goal in the top flight. The striker, whose trainee contract expires this summer, opened the scoring midway through the first half, finishing confidently after a slick combination involving Rassoul Ndiaye. Beyond the goal, Quetant impressed with his movement, hold-up play and composure, offering a complete centre-forward display.
Substitutes make the difference
After Louis Mouton brought Angers level shortly after the hour mark, Digard once again turned to his academy. Noam Obougou (19), Enzo Koffi (19) and Daren Mosengo (18) were introduced and immediately injected energy and intensity into the contest.
Obougou, already lively in previous substitute appearances this season, proved decisive. Bursting past the Angers defence down the left, he calmly finished between the legs of Melvin Zinga to score his first Ligue 1 goal late on and restore Le Havre’s lead.
“The substitutes gave us real energy and helped us a lot,” Digard said after the match. “Mentally, the team showed great strength. Conceding an equaliser in our situation isn’t easy, but they stayed focused and it paid off.”
With an average squad age of just 22, Le Havre showed that youth does not equate to inexperience. Argney, Quetant, Obougou, Koffi and Mosengo all demonstrated they are ready to contribute at this level.
Le Havre have been one of the key producers of talent in French football for many years now, featuring the likes of Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrrez, Dimitri Payet, Diarra, Édouard Mendy, Ferland Mendy and Steve Mandanda. It's no surprise that Digard has trust in the now-infamous 'Cavée Verte'.
