Football: Malik Hsissane and Nicolas Benezet, forever

Last November, Nicolas Benezet and Malik Hsissane crossed paths in the Coupe de France. MIDI LIBRE – ERIC DOLADILLE

This Saturday, January 11, at 6 p.m., Philibert-Schneider stadium, Beaucaire (5th, 17 points, 10 matches) receives Alès (4th, 18 points). A derby and the opportunity for the Stadiste Hsissane and the Oacien Benezet to meet again… off the field.

They had arranged to meet this Saturday, at the Philibert-Schneider stadium in Beaucaire (6 p.m.), in National 3. ''I hope Malik will play because, last time, in the Coupe de France (7th round, November 16, 2024, 4-2 for OAC at Pibarot), he was returning from injury (Beaucairois midfielder Hsissane came on in the 87th minute)'', stressed the Alès striker, Nicolas Benezet, 33, on Thursday, about a ''friend of childhood''.

Another appointment, for Hsissane, on Thursday at the doctor's, unfortunately resulted in a last-minute forfeit (inflammation of the Achilles tendon) for the 33-year-old Stadiste.

Reunion postponed, therefore, on the field, between the two players trained together at Nîmes Olympique. ''Nico, it's really family'', says Hsissane. Joint interview.

Considering your professional career (130 L1 matches for Benezet; 64 L2 matches for Hsissane), what makes you still run in N3, on a Saturday in January ?

Malik Hsissane: we still have this love for football. Afterwards, it's only N3, but we take so much pleasure in being in this environment, kicking the ball, getting up, going to train. The main reason is the love of football. We're not here to tell ourselves that we have to scrape together our last big contracts.
Nicolas Benezet:already, the body makes sure that I can always run. After, it is the passion, beyond a job that has been for me for years, and which still is (federal contract in Alès), and the chance to play ball. As long as I flourish on the field, that is all that matters to me.

Beaucaire receives Alès in a top-of-the-table derby. Beyond this match, what are the ambitions for the future? ?

M. H.: in the position we are in, and compared to the first half of the season, it would be pretentious to say that we are going to play for 1st place, but also very pessimistic to say that we are going to play for survival. The goal is to win as many matches as possible, without thinking. Starting with Alès
N. B.:Already, I didn’t know it was a derby, not having played before in Ales or Beaucaire. I’ve known other derbies. Afterwards, given our objective which is promotion to N2, it doesn't change anything whether it's against Beaucaire or another team.

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In 2008, Malik Hsissane and Nicolas Benezet reunited under the jersey of the Nîmes reserve, in N3.

How do you judge the level of N3 (5th federal level) ?

M. H.:it remains a good level championship. With Nico, we had known it in reserve in Nîmes, in 2008. I think that this South-East group is the most high-level. Going to win away, for example, is very complicated.
N. B.: the level is correct. It is hard to compare with what I have known but, there, the rhinestones and glitter are over. I knew where I was going to set foot. And, again, in Alès, in terms of infrastructure, they are among the best in N3. What matters to me is the pitch, not the setting.

It all depends, also, on the teams you play against. We have a team that likes to play ball. So, when we have the opportunity to play on fields that allow us to play, it's true that it's quite pleasant for us. Unfortunately, this weekend, that won't be the case.

Is a return to the pro world still in the back of your mind??

M. H.:no. For me, after I came back to Nîmes (from Lyon-Duchère, in 2017), where I played 11 matches in L2, where we moved up (in May 2018) to L1, where I had some very strong moments (until June 2019), the future no longer made me dream. The main thing is that you have fun, that you earn your living, and that's it…
N. B.: no, not at all. If, by chance or luck, I can get there for another year, why not, but that's not the main goal. The only ones I have are to play football and be close to my family. That's all.

Question to two former Crocos. Are you still following the results of NO ?

M. H. :yes. Given that I am 100% Nîmes, born in Nîmes, that I grew up there, was trained there, it is obligatory! Especially with coach Adil, who I know. Every Friday evening, when I leave training, I look at the results, those of Nîmes, the ranking… it is my favorite club.
N. B.: of course. Different from what I was able to follow at the time because the context of the club makes it less desirable to follow it, but there is always a part of me that loves this club and that would like to make sure that it progresses. In addition, Adil is the coach. Adil is almost family. I would also like it to work for him.

Aigues-Mortes, which finished 2024 well, wants to start 2025 well in Agde

USSA – This first part of the season, the promoted Aigues-Mortais had started well (1 win, 2 draws) and finished it well. ''The 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw) taken out of 9, at the end of 2024, did us a little good, but we remain, and we will remain until the end, in the objective of maintaining'', notes coach Yohan Borg, whose team has experienced a lull in the middle, conceding 1 draw and 4 defeats in five matches.

Saturday, Aigues-Mortes (10th, 13 points) plays Agde (6th, 15 points), at 6 p.m. at the Louis Sanguin stadium. Gardois opposed to Héraultais who win (5 victories) or lose (6 defeats).