Seychelles National team coach Ralp Jean Louis has revealed that the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifier clashes have not been their main priorities ahead of the match against Kenya’s Harambee Stars this Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Speaking at a match press conference in Nairobi this Monday, September 8, 2025, the tactician revealed that most of their World Cup qualifiers, including the next match against the Harambee Stars, will only be used to gain the needed experience for the clash pitting the island nations.

“Our objective is to prepare a team for the Indian Ocean Island Games. This is the World Cup for island teams. If we can win this tournament, it will be a first step to gain the experience for the Indian Ocean Games,” he stated.

He also spoke on his team’s youthful composition, revealing that some of the players within the team are only in their teens.

“Our team is probably the youngest team participating in the qualifiers,” he added. We have four players who are under 17 in the team,” he stated.

The Indian Ocean Island Games, also known as Jeux des îles de l’océan Indien, is a multi-sport event for island nations in the region held every four years.

Island nations and territories in the Indian Ocean, such as Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles, are the participants of the games.

The 2023 edition was held in Madagascar, with Madagascar winning the men’s tournament.

The clash against Kenya comes as the Islanders seek their maiden win in Group F. The team has been the punching bag of the group, losing all their matches against their group rivals.

Their campaign kicked off with a 9-0 humiliation at home to Côte d’Ivoire on November 17, followed by a 5-0 loss to Kenya in Abidjan on November 20.

Kenyan skipper Michael Olunga scored a brace in the 5-0 demolition of Seychelles in match-day two fixture. The team’s recent outing ended in a 4-0 defeat against Gabon, with Denis Bouanga’s hat-trick sending Gabon to the top of Group F temporarily.