Scorer for the first time professionally on Friday, Seny Koumbassa, 18, had a great week with his training club. In the absence of Mark McKenzie, suspended for Tuesday’s Coupe de France semi-final in Lens, the young defender will have a big role to play at Bollaert.
TFC coach Carles Martinez Novell has always said it: when one player is absent, it’s the opportunity for another to shine. On Friday, Seny Koumbassa, 18, perfectly illustrated this statement. Receiving a deflection from Santiago Hidalgo, the defender scored his first professional goal, on the evening of his fourth start in Ligue 1, the fourth in a row, on the Lens pitch and under the eyes of his family seated in the Bollaert stands. Arriving at TFC at the age of 10 after wearing the colors of Tournefeuille, the French U19 international crowned a great week for him despite the defeat, during which he extended his contract until 2030, with his training club, which is counting on him for the future.
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A message of confidence for the native of Toulouse, described as someone very endearing, kind and determined, and to whom Carles Martinez Novell entrusts more and more responsibilities. “His extension is deserved. He is a player who works hard,” appreciates the Haut-Garonne coach. “He doesn’t talk much, but he trains with motivation, with good behavior. We wanted to give him the opportunity to play this season, so that he shows that he has the quality and personality that is needed.”
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This quality and this personality, the strong central defender showed it in the bustling environment of the Lensois stadium where he will return on Tuesday for the most important event of his young career. In the absence of Mark McKenzie, suspended, Seny Koumbassa has every chance of returning to the semi-final of the Coupe de France, after learning “what ingredients you need to put in to win here, to win the duels, the intelligence you need to have in certain situations, how to manage the different match times” as his coach pointed out.
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In Martinez Novell’s opinion, Koumbassa has progressed since the start of the season, by listening to the advice given by the staff, by changing certain things, particularly in the possession phase, and by continuing to work on his natural qualities. “He is very athletic, very good in duels, calm. He has the peace to make the right decisions. Offensively he’s a good player too, he positions himself well, has the ability to find the free man” lists the Catalan. The former Barça trainer notes another element: “He handles pressure better and better.” It will be necessary on Tuesday evening, in the hell of the North, where Seny Koumbassa will have another opportunity to shine.
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