Press conference: Amede Kabongo

Ruffice Amede Kabongo spoke at a press conference before the match against Versailles.

Lucas, fans don’t know much about you yet. What do you think are the strong points of your game?

RAK : Before we get started, I’d like to say a few words to Mara. If the fans don’t know much about me, it’s because there was a very good goalkeeper playing. I give him all my support, hoping he’ll come back as well and as quickly as possible. As far as I’m concerned, I try to be as complete as possible. We’re lucky to have a very good goalkeeping coach (Mathieu Lacaille) who helps us work on the different variations of the game and the position, and make progress. If I have to pick out any strong points, I’m thinking of our play on the line and in the air. But I’m trying to work on everything to keep improving.

You played two games in the league and the same number in the Cup, but you didn’t play for several months. How did you feel about your return to Châteauroux?

RAK : It was very special, because I hadn’t played for a while. At the start of the season, there wasn’t much of a break between my games and the preparatory ones. This time it was a little longer, even though I’d played in the reserves in the meantime. You don’t get your bearings the same way. That’s also the point of being number 2: you have to be ready when you’re called upon.

Communication is essential in the position of goalkeeper. How does playing behind closed doors change your approach to a match?

RAK : When we play at home, the fans give us strength with this exceptional atmosphere. This stadium can be very noisy, as I noticed against Versailles, and it’s sometimes difficult to communicate with each other. It’ll be easier for me to pass on my instructions, as it will be for everyone else involved in the match.

Watch Régis Brouard’s pre-match press conference on our Facebook and X accounts.