Twenty-one years after Red Star, another club from Seine-Saint-Denis will play a quarter-final of the Coupe Gambardella. In the FC 93 Bobigny U18 team which challenges Rennes this Sunday, more than half of the players come from the department. Zakaria Salhi (18) is the only one who grew up and still lives in Bobigny, in the Étoile district. “This course is even more beautiful for me, I am proud to represent my city and make people talk about Bobigny in a positive way. In town and within the club, we feel that we are no longer seen in the same way thanks to the Gambardella. We have become a bit of an example, ”explains the left-wing midfielder who is preparing a Proximity and Local Life Service baccalaureate at the Delacroix high school in Drancy.
After playing at Étoile Filante Bobigny in his neighborhood, he joined the big city club 7 years ago and rose through the ranks. “Bobigny has a very good project, they are playing young people, we do not compare ourselves to Red Star but we have nothing to envy them”, explains this fan of Real Madrid and Modric. “Wednesday was my birthday, as we had a training session, I could only see the end of the match against PSG, he smiles. It was beautiful, a beautiful gift for me. With this match against Rennes, I live an exceptional week, rich in emotions. »
Zakaria highlights the human qualities of this U18 group. “At the start of the season, we didn’t all know each other, we were just players who played together. Now we have become a real family. It gave us strength in many matches like in Saran in the round of 16 (Bobigny trailed 2-0 at halftime). We are united and welded. With us, there are a lot of vengeful players who haven’t had the chance to sign in professional structures. We are not envious of Rennes players. If they are there, they deserve it. But we want to prove that we too can earn a place at the top. »
“We must not change anything in our state of mind”
Many observers and recruiters are indeed expected around Auguste Delaune’s synthetic. “This match against Rennes, it can give us opportunities and change a whole life. But that does not mean that everyone will dribble and do their little solo number. It is collectively that we will be able to create an exploit, as we have always done. We must not change anything in our state of mind. »
Zakaria has just completed a test at Laval (National). He is waiting for the results. His little brother Illiesse (14 years old) has taken the lead. Resident of Clairefontaine, he has already signed in Nice where he will join the training center from next season. “It’s a source of pride for my family and me. It also gives me strength. But if my little brother succeeds in football and I don’t, I would already be very happy. I will always be fully behind him. Father Mustapha, of Moroccan origin, is also very present around the grounds.
“He is very important to us, he advises us, dissects the matches, like a coach, concludes Zakaria. He’s not one to get fired up and thanks to my family, I stay down to earth. There is football of course, but I also know that studies are very important. It is the number 1 tool for success. I do not forget it even if I still have dreams in football. »
