Without Victor Hugo Montaño, their only real centre-forward, Frédéric Antonetti is now relying on Jirès Kembo-Ekoko to play upfront in Lens on Sunday, and keep Stade Rennes in the lead. A gamble, and an opportunity to seize for the youngster, a product of Stade Rennes’ Academy.
« On September 2nd or 3rd , Asamoah had already left for England, an offer arrived from Qatar for Bangoura, Frédéric Antonetti explains. We met with Pierre Dréossi and he asked me: « What do we do?”. If I had wanted a crowded attack, I would have asked for Bangoura to stay. I said: “I remain convinced that Kembo can do as well as Bangoura, so let’s go with Kembo”.”
Nearly a month and a half later, Victor Hugo Montaño picked up an injury against Toulouse, and was sidelined for up to four weeks. Frédéric Antonetti decided that Jirès Kembo-Ekoko, 22 years old would start in centre forward position against Lens.
« I consider it as a chance to be taken, I’ve always wanted to just enter the pitch and play”, the young striker, a former U21 French international commented. Indeed, he has been waiting a long time, nearly five years. Since the end of 2005, the Kinshasa born, trained at the club’s academy, played with the Reserve, only playing a few minutes there and there in Ligue 1. In Autumn 2006, he earned his first professional start against Lille in the Coupe de la Ligue. In four years, Jirès Kembo-Ekoko played over 60 games in Ligue 1, only fifteen in the starting line-up, scored three goals and gave one assist. A meagre stats sheet. The centre forward, turned into a skilled winger, earned more play-time this season. But over seven Ligue 1 games he played, he only started in two occasions.
In February 2010, he had extended his contract with Rennes for another three seasons. “The SRFC is a club I love, which gave me the chance to play in Ligue 1, to fulfil my dream, he explained on the club’s official website then. There is also pride in my decision to sign a new contract, as I did not want to be just another player passing by.” Just a speech for the occasion? Not sure. The spectators present at the Gambardella Cup game between Rennes and Le Havre (March 15th, 2009) would remember that by the touchline, Jirès had refused to watch the pitch for the penalty shootouts sessions, in which M’Vila-Brahimi were eventually knocked out of the competition.
« He has all the required qualities to play up front, his coach guarantees. He has to improve in terms of courage and determination. We believe in him, but he as to evolve from a youngster to an experienced players taking his responsibilities.” Frédéric Antonetti also explained that the Stade Rennais has got leads towards recruiting a forward from a French club: “Some players would like to come, but their clubs aren’t really keen on letting them go.”
Therefore, it will be Jirès Kembo-Ekoko’s mission to weigh on the defence of Racing Club de Lens, second from last in the league and unable to win since mid-august. The Congo-born player was convincing and efficient at La Piverdière during this international break: “I enjoyed this week at training. The coach made it easy for me to find my marks quickly in the centre, and it went very well.”
Now, he only has to really launch his season, and maybe his career.
Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes
- Photos: www.rennes.lemensuel.com
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