Seychelles coach drops scorer of only goal in five years

VICTORIA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Seychelles will go into their African Nations Cup qualifier against Eritrea on Saturday without the only player to score for the island in five years after he was dropped by new coach Dominque Barthenay. Philip Zialor, who scored for Seychelles against Namibia in a World Cup qualifier two years ago, has been left out by Barthenay, who also ignored players from the Indian Ocean island's leading team La Passe. The match at the Linite stadium is the first in two years for Africa's smallest country. Barthenay, who played for France at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, has named a squad of 20 players, more than half of whom are uncapped.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Ricky Rose (Anse Reunion), Nelson Sopha (St Michel United); Defenders: Danny Cesar, Godfrey Denis, Brian Gill (all St Michel United), Allan Larue, Harry Libanotis (both Red Star), Alex Nibourette (St Michel United); Midfielders: Don Anacoura (Sunshine), Naddy Bibi (Acot), Jeffrey Brutus (Red Star), Henny Dufresne (Sunshine), Elvis Julius (Red Star), Marcel Labiche, Lorenzo Mathiot, Roddy Victor (all St Michel United); Strikers: Alpha Balde (St Louis), Wilnes Brutus (Red Star), Luc Lespoir (Light Stars), Yelvanny Rose (Anse Reunion).