With a population of less than 100 000 people, (and only 2000 registered players and 20 clubs), The Seychelles can certainly be counted amongst the minnows of African football.
The Pirates are currently ranked 180th on the FIFA list, and have never obtained a better ranking than 129th, since making their international debut back in 1974, when they lost 2-0 to Réunion.
The island country has never qualified for a major international tournament and it was no different ahead of the 2010 World and African Cup qualifiers as they failed to earn a single point, finishing last in a group that contained Burkina Faso, Tunisia and Burundi. Their top goal scorer in the campaign was Philip Zialor, with two strikes.
The international squad all play their football exclusively in the Seychelles league. The league comprises of eight clubs, who are split into two sections a Championship play off division and a Relegation Play-Off division) after the completion of the round-robin matches.
Current champions are La Passe, while Saint Louis FC have won the most titles (13) since the league was established in 1979.
Percy Tau of South Africa challenged by Bertrand Esther of Seychelles during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Seychelles at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 13 October 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lebohang Maboe of South Africa challenged by Nelson Laurence of Seychelles during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Seychelles at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 13 October 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lebohang Maboe of South Africa challenges Perry Monnaie of Seychelles during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Seychelles at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 13 October 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lebohang Maboe of South Africa challenges Perry Monnaie of Seychelles during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Seychelles at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 13 October 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Buhle Mkhwanazi of South Africa challenged by Perry Monnaie of Seychelles during the 2019 African Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Seychelles at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 13 October 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Romeo Barra of Seychelles challenges by Prince Dube Mpumelelo of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
John Takwara of Zimbabwe challenged by Karl Hall of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Prince Dube Mpumelelo of Zimbabwe fouled by Bertrand Esther of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ovidy Karuru of Zimbabwe challenged by Carl Hopprich of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Innocent Mucheneka of Zimbabwe challenged by Colin Esther of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Romeo Barra and Mellie Warren Eric of Seychelles challenged by Prince Dube Mpumelelo of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Innocent Mucheneka of Zimbabwe challenged by Carl Hopprich of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jimmy Tigere of Zimbabwe challenged by Karl Hall of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mellie Warren Eric of Seychelles challenges by Prince Dube Mpumelelo of Zimbabwe during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Eric Chipeta of Zimbabwe clears ball from Karl Hall of Seychelles during the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg South Africa on 30 June 2017 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Rashim Padayachy of Seychelles challenged by Francisco Simbine of Mozambique during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Seychelles and Mozambique at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 28 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Karl Hall of Seychelles challenged by Danilo Muze of Mozambique during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Seychelles and Mozambique at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 28 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Joao Simango of Mozambique challenged by Bertrand Esther of Seychelles during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Seychelles and Mozambique at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 28 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Karl Hall of Seychelles challenged by Danilo Muze of Mozambique during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Seychelles and Mozambique at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 28 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Gervais Waye Hive of Seychelles challenged by Arnaldo Caminho of Mozambique during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Seychelles and Mozambique at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 28 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Karl Hall of Seychelles challenged by Abilio Maucuona of Mozambique during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Seychelles and Mozambique at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on 28 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Karl Hall of Seychelles challenged by Ando Manoelantsoa of Madagascar during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Jean Dieu Randrianasolo of Madagascar challenged by Mellie Eric of Seychelles during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sarivahy Vombola of Madagascar challenged by Mellie Eric of Seychelles during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Morelin Raveloarisona of Madagascar challenged by Karl Hall of Seychelles during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Gervais Waye Hive of Seychelles challenged by Jaotombo Bourahim of Madagascar during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Gervais Waye Hive of Seychelles challenged by Jaotombo Bourahim of Madagascar during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kelvin Coralie of Seychelles challenged by Bakary Mario of Madagascar during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Gervais Waye Hive of Seychelles challenged by Bakary Mario of Madagascar during the Cosafa Castle Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 26 June 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Carl Hopprich of Seychelles challenged by Nqobizitha Masuku of Zimbabwe during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Carl Hopprich of Seychelles challenged by Nqobizitha Masuku of Zimbabwe during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Charlton Mashumba of Zimbabwe challenged by Yanick Manoo of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Tamboo Elijah of Seychelles challenged by Ronald Pfumbidzai (l) and Lawrence Mhlanga of Zimbabwe during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Teenage Hadebe of Zimbabwe challenged by Colin Bibi of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ronald Pfumbidzai of Zimbabwe challenges Tamboo Elijah of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Achille Henriette of Seychelles challenged by Nqobizitha Masuku of Zimbabwe during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Achille Henriette of Seychelles challenged by Nqobizitha Masuku of Zimbabwe during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Zimbabwe and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 15 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Yanick Manoo of Seychelles clears ball from Felix Badenhorst of Swaziland (right) during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sabelo Ndzinisa of Swaziland challenged by Yanick Manoo of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sabelo Ndzinisa of Swaziland tackled by Yanick Manoo of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Collin Esther of Seychelles fouled by Njabulo Ndlovu of Swaziland during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Yanick Manoo of Seychelles challenged by Sabelo Ndzinisa of Swaziland during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Benoit Marie of Seychelles (6) challenges Felix Badenhorst of Swaziland during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Carl Hopprich of Seychelles challenged by Felix Badenhorst (left) of Swaziland during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sabelo Ndzinisa of Swaziland challenged by Benoit Marie of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Felix Badenhorst of Swaziland tackled by Yanick Manoo of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sifiso Mabila of Swaziland challenged by Tamboo Elijah of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Achille Henriette of Seychelles challenged by Felix Badenhorst of Swaziland during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sabelo Ndzinisa of Swaziland challenged by Yanick Manoo of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Swaziland and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 13 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Dine Randy Suzette of Seychelles challenges rancois Randrianomenjanahary of Madagascar during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Rinjala Raherinaivo of Madagascar shields ball from Daniel Maillet of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Rinjala Raherinaivo of Madagascar shields ball from Daniel Maillet of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Achille Henriette of Seychelles challenged by Ando Manoelantsoa of Madagascar during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Fanomezana Tojo Claudel of Madagascar celebrates goal during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Rinjala Raherinaivo of Madagascar challenged by Achille Henriette of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gervais Waye-Hive of Seychelles challenged by Tobisoa Njakanirina of Madagascar during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Achille Henriette of Seychelles challenged by Ando Manoelantsoa of Madagascar during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Rinjala Raherinaivo of Madagascar challenges Carl Hopprich of Seychelles during the 2016 Cosafa Cup match between Madagascar and Seychelles at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek Namibia on 11 June, 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jean-Pierre Sophie of Mauritius challenged by Rashim Kiren Padayachy of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Mauritius at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 21, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Jean-Pierre Sophie of Mauritius challenged by Benoit Marie of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Mauritius at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 21, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Rashim Kiren Padayachy of Seychelles challenged by Jonathan Edouard of Mauritius during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Mauritiu at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 21, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Louis Desire Pithia of Mauritius challenged by Ahmed Maurice of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Mauritiu at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 21, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
John Calambe of Mauritius challenged by Jones Joubert of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Mauritiu at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 21, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mervin Mathiot of Seychelles challenged by Jean-Pierre Sophie of Mauritius during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Mauritiu at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa on May 21, 2015 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Renick Esther of Seychelles challenged by Danny Phiri of Zimbabwe during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Evans Rusike of Zimbabwe challenged by Ronny Steven Hoareau of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Colin Esther of Seychelles battles with Ronald Chitiyo of Zimbabwe
Colin Esther of Seychelles battles with Tatenda Mudehwe of Zimbabwe during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jones Joubert of Seychelles battles with Hardlife Zvirekwi of Zimbabwe during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Hardlife Zvirekwi of Zimbabwe battles with Ronny Steven Hoareau of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Hardlife Zvirekwi of Zimbabwe battles with Ronny Steven Hoareau of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Danny Phiri of Zimbabwe battles with Gervais Waye-Hive of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Karl Hall of Seychelles battles with Danny Phiri of Zimbabwe ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Danny Phiri of Zimbabwe battles with Achille Henriette of Seychelles during the 2015 Cosafa Cup match between Seychelles and Zimbabwe at the Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg on the 19 May 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
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