It’s the first time the striker has made the starting line-up for the side he joined in June 2012 and what better reward than to help the team qualify for the semi-final of the prestigious French competition.
The 25-year-old, playing up the left flank, made an early impression as he looked to reward coach Jean-Marc Furlan’s confidence in him and he didn’t disappoint.
Combining well with his teammates the Caledonian was unlucky not to add a goal of his own and says he’s happy to have started, and helped his team through to the next stage.
“I’m really happy to have started. I’m really excited that we’re going through to the semi-final too,” Gope-Fenepej said following the final whistle.
“The coach was with me in giving me a start, I played the way I’ve always played and it worked.
“To be in the semi-final, it’s a dream, like becoming a professional once was.”
Ecstatic to see his side progress following a fine performace, Furlan was also impressed with the way Gope-Fenepej integrated into the squad.
“We started Georges, who has deserved to start for a while but we have had other combinations which have been working well, and we had to find the right time to give him a chance,” he said.
Estac Troyes will now travel to Lyon to face Olympique Lyonnais in one semi-final while FC Nantes will welcome Paris Saint-Germain in the other.
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com

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