New Caledonia is at the top of the French football world on 7 May 2022. The Nantes football club won the French Cup final against the Nice team. The match took place at the Stade de France, near Paris, in front of 80 000 spectators. Why Caledonia? Because the coach of Nantes is none other than Antoine Kombouaré. The former Nantes and PSG player is originally from the Isle of Pines. He left his native Caledonia at the age of 19 to become a professional player. After a good career as a player, he became one of the most experienced coaches in France. He has coached PSG, among others.
After the 1-0 victory, Antoine Koumbouaré said with great emotion: “I measure the chance I have. I love my players deeply. We are a clan, it’s something I keep from my native New Caledonia. They are like my sons.
The feat is all the greater because at the end of last season, Antoine Kombouaré had narrowly saved his club from relegation to Ligue 2.
Next year, Nantes will play in the European Cup.
