Lyon Beat PSG In Historic League Cup Final in Abidjan

Lyon Beat PSG In Historic League Cup Final in Abidjan 

By Niyi Busari 

The first final of the Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel League Cup marked a historic moment for French women’s football — not only because Olympique Lyonnais Féminin defeated Paris Saint‑Germain Féminine 1-0, but because the match was played far from France, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision to stage the inaugural final abroad reflects an ambitious strategy by the French women’s league to expand its international profile — a move that has generated both enthusiasm and criticism.

A strategy of visibility and partnerships

League officials say the competition was created to broaden opportunities for clubs outside European competitions while strengthening the visibility of the women’s game.

According to Paul‑Hervé Douillard, director-general of the Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel, the event was made possible through a partnership with the Ministry of Sports of Côte d’Ivoire, which is seeking to promote women’s sport nationally.

Douillard said holding the final in Abidjan offered far greater media exposure than staging it in France and would help strengthen ties with Africa, which he described as an important talent pool for the French league.

The decision, however, has drawn criticism from supporter groups of both clubs, who argued that taking the match abroad undermined the local roots of the sport.

Douillard acknowledged the concerns but defended the broader strategy, noting that attendances in France have been steadily rising, with several matches attracting more than 15,000 spectators. The league, he said, also aims to develop its international reach alongside domestic growth.

A moment of opportunity for Ivory Coast

For Yacine Idriss Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation, the match represented an opportunity to inspire a new generation of players.

Speaking ahead of the game, he said hosting two of Europe’s leading women’s clubs would allow thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers across Africa to witness elite-level football.

The event comes as Côte d’Ivoire continues to build on the momentum generated by its victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country hosted and won earlier this year.

Women’s football in Ivory Coast remains in its early stages of development but is experiencing rapid growth, and local officials hope events like this can help accelerate that progress.

A demanding schedule for the finalists

Both French clubs took part despite an already demanding calendar. Paris Saint‑Germain Féminine, in particular, faced a tight turnaround, traveling to Abidjan shortly after a domestic match and preparing to return to France for a Coupe de France Féminine quarter-final in Dijon on March 18.

PSG coach Paulo César admitted the relocation would not normally be his preference but said his team had embraced the experience.

Captain Sakina Karchaoui described the trip as a rare opportunity, adding that the squad approached the final with enthusiasm despite the logistical challenges.

The occasion also carried personal significance for players with Ivorian heritage, including Anaïs Ebayilin of PSG and Vicki Becho of Lyon.

Football beyond the pitch

The visit also included community initiatives. Players from Lyon, including Marie‑Antoinette Katoto and Ashley Lawrence, visited young patients at the Mère‑Enfant Hospital of Abidjan in the Adjamé district, while PSG representatives were scheduled to inaugurate a football pitch in the city.

More than 20,000 spectators attended the match at Stade Félix Houphouët‑Boigny, where tickets were distributed free of charge.

Among those present were Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, and France women’s national team coach Laurent Bonadei, alongside officials from the Ivorian federation.

The only notable absentee was Jean‑Michel Aulas, president of the LFFP and one of the architects of the initiative, who remained in Lyon because of municipal elections taking place in the city.