PARIS: Stade de Reims reached the Coupe de France final by ending fourth division AS Cannes’ dream run with a 2-1 away win on Wednesday, to set up a showdown with heavyweights Paris St Germain.

Ligue 1 side Reims prevailed with goals by Hafiz Ibrahim and Teddy Teuma, who scored the winner after Cheikh Ndoye had levelled for the hosts.

Cannes, where France greats Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira began their careers and who won the French Cup in 1932, had hopes of rekindling their glory years, but Reims opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Ibrahim slotted the ball home from a cutback.

Cannes equalised as Ndoye headed home seven minutes into the second half.

Six minutes later, Teuma netted from Ibrahim’s pass to put the visitors in the driving seat.

“I’m happy with the progress we’ve made in recent weeks,” said Reims coach Samba Diawara, whose side beat Olymp­ique de Marseille in Ligue 1 at the weekend to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Cannes were looking to become the first fourth-tier club to reach the final since Calais lost to Nantes in the 2000 showpiece, but came up just short.

“There’s no disappointment, just pride,” said Cannes coach Damien Ott. “The equaliser was an incredible adrenaline rush. But they scored again very quickly.”

Reims will take on PSG at the Stade de France on May 24 after the 15-time winners beat Ligue 2 side Dunkerque 4-2 on Tuesday.

Reims won the Coupe twice during its heyday in the 1950s and last reached the final in 1977. Although PSG are on course to repeat their domestic double from last season, Reims were the last team to stop PSG from winning in Ligue 1 when they drew 1-1 in Paris on Jan. 25.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025