Melvyn Doremus will never forget this November 17, 2019. "It changed me as a man and a footballer", recognizes the right side of Chambly who will celebrate his 25 years on October 29. Then supervisor in a college after having been a waiter in a fast-food (KFC), the Val-d'Oisien who played in Bobigny (N2, 4th division) had been called for the first time in the national team of Benin - the country of his mother -, for the match against Sierra Leone. “It was the first time that I had the opportunity to go to Benin, it was very strong,” he recalls. For my family, it's a great pride, my mother of course and also my father (Editor's note: who is French) who has followed me since I was very young. At the time, the coach of Benin, Michel Dussuyer, had even moved to Bobigny to supervise him.
“One of my teammates knew a player from the selection who told the coach about me, continues Doremus.
He had good information about me and he came to see me play during a match in Bobigny.
It was totally improbable.
I played in N2, I would never have imagined being called with players from L1, L2, or who play abroad.
In France, I play the lowest.
I remember the first time I was called up, when I told my teammates, I have to hurry back to France because I work on Mondays, they were surprised ”.
"After the Red Star, I needed to see something else"
Since signing his first pro contract at the Red Star in National in the summer of 2020, his status has nevertheless evolved. "I no longer work and I only live from football, it's a big change on a daily basis," admits Doremus, who has played in Benin's last four games (2 starts, 2 entries) in the World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar, Congo and Tanzania (twice). "Playing in the selection, made me progress at all levels, I gained experience", explains the right side who remains on a difficult season at the Red Star (13 games played). “I was coming out of a big year (3rd behind Bastia and Sedan) at Bobigny with Himed Hamma whom I had known in U19 at the Entente SSG, he explains. The Red Star allowed me to find the National. But it didn't go very well for me.The team weren't running a lot and I didn't play too much. It was Vincent Bordot who was my coach at the Entente for four years who had nevertheless come to get me. That's why I felt a lot of incomprehension. "
Not retained by the Red Star, he says he is “delighted” with his choice to sign for Chambly. “It's a really family club, my integration went very well. I needed to see something else. And even if it is no longer the Paris region, we remain close, I did not have to move from my home in Cergy. "
The former PSG player in U15 where he had experienced a season thwarted by Osgood-Schlatter disease (growth problem) should regain a starting place against Créteil this Friday after being a little injured.
“Créteil, it's not a derby like when I was at the Red Star or the Entente SSG.
For the club, the staff and the supporters, it's not the same.
The real Chambly derby is against Beauvais.
But, for me, it's still a big game to play where I will meet people I know like Kevin Farade with whom I played at the Entente and Bobigny.
"
The Red Star
will play their Matchday 11 match against Le Mans on Monday (8:45 p.m.) at the Bauer Stadium.
