Mickaël Tacalfred 32nd 2003-2004 French Cup jersey

Jersey worn by number 2, Mickaël Tacalfred, during the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France in the 2003-2004 Ligue 2 season; in this SCO Angers-Rennes match, which ended 0-0 at the Stade Jean Bouin (Rennes won 4-5 on penalties), Mickaël Tacalfred played the entire match. This game was played on Sunday, January 4, 2004, in front of 5,460 spectators.

I remember that match like it was yesterday, with its freezing cold and seemingly endless play that went into the wee hours, including extra time and a penalty shootout (the penalty was retaken because Cech wasn't on his line). In short, the disappointment with the result was immense, and especially with not seeing a goal, due to the glaring clumsiness of both teams. And to quote my friends from the excellent website scosco1919.com : "As for Sampil, he only played 10 minutes, just enough time to miss a golden opportunity and his penalty..." It actually took me a while to forgive him, he disappointed me so much that day! I got my jersey right after the match.

Guadeloupean full-back Mickaël Tacalfred joined SCO Angers during the 2003-2004 season from Rouen, Martigues, and Red Star (his youth club). He left after just one season, playing for Dijon, Reims, Auxerre, Béziers, and then returning to a smaller club in Reims to finish his playing career. He made 25 appearances for SCO Angers and scored 2 goals.

In the Coupe de France, after easily eliminating Bouchemaine (3-0) in the 7th round and then a hard-fought home victory against Concarneau (1-0) in the 8th round, SCO faced a Ligue 1 powerhouse in Rennes. After a closely contested match, the penalty shootout proved decisive: defeat. The focus now shifts to improving their league performance and securing their place in the top flight.

Thierry Cygan (top) and Gilles Kerhuiel, the captain (bottom), in the tunnel leading to the pitch after half-time (source scosco1919.com / Photos FranceSCO)