A win for the Wanderers' future at Stade Boréale

The goalposts have shifted for the Halifax Wanderers in 2026 and it's left them in a strange position. Head coach Vanni Sartini's hiring in December came with the talk of trophies and celebratory pasta alla norma. But the realities of the Canadian Premier League (CPL), not to mention the limitations of Halifax's roster construction, hit like a hurricane and changed the Italian gaffer's tune.

This year has becoming a building season, a roadway to 2027.

And yet the club still finds themselves in this year's playoff race thanks to a convincing 2-0 victory at Stade Boréale on Saturday, clocking the type of performance — 90 minutes of concentrated football — that as eluded them for much of their campaign.

Now, the Wanderers sit fifth on the table and are only seven points behind Vancouver FC. They've six matches to play meaning a string of wins, with a heavy dose of luck, could see them scratch their way to a second consecutive post-season berth. It's not an impossible feat, albeit unlikely given both Forge FC and Cavalry FC are on the docket.

Attacker Jason Bahamboula, who opened the scoring for Halifax on Saturday, told reporters post-match that they're taking their remaining fixtures one at a time, looking to replicate the killer instinct they showed versus FC Supra.

But it's important that the club not lose sight of the new goalposts they've set for themselves, specifically as it comes to their young players, who were pivotal in their win at Stade Boréale. They need to push for this season; they need to grow for next season.

It's hard to believe that Ilan Ahmed is only 17-years-old.

Although he was signed late into training camp, having impressed and played regularly during pre-season in Spain, Wanderers supporters have seen little of the talented centre-back. It's not that he hasn't been putting in the work: the Canadian defender has been quietly acclimating to the club in the background, gaining confidence every week.

So, when he was announced as a starter on Saturday, it may have seemed a surprise given he'd only made one other league appearance to date.

Make no mistake: Ahmed is far from a finished product. There were moments versus Supra where he bobbled his touch or opted for the safe pass. But he also showcased the promise, be it through one of his six won duels (out of 10) or vision in the final third, that excited the Wanderers, who signed him to an Exceptional Young Talent contract that could run until 2030.

Defender Ilan Ahmed versus FC Supra. ((Photo Raphaël Williams-Claudio /FC Supra du Québec)

Ahmed — like Lucas Olguin — is a big part of Halifax's plans moving forward.

The fact that he assisted Bahamboula's goal with a nifty lob, made possible thanks to a smart sequence from both Lorenzo Callegari and Isaiah Johnston, was the garlic sauce on the donair.

It'd be easy for Sartini to only play his veteran players given the playoffs could be within reach. Former head coach Patrice Gheisar certainly took this route at times. The former Vancouver Whitecaps boss, however, has been saying for weeks that they're building towards something longer term.

Having the confidence to start Ahmed, at left-back no less, shows commitment to that new vision.

"Today is an important win for us as a team to grow, for our maturity and to show we can climb to another level," Sartini said in French after the win.

Sartini and his squad are now walking two paths at once: they're pushing for the playoffs and developing young players like Ahmed and Olguin that will make them better next year. These young players are integral to the club's growth; making the playoffs this year is meaningless if it's not replicable.

Montréal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis enjoys a quote.

One he used frequently during his team's rebuild was that it's important to have players that are willing to plant trees knowing they'll never get to sit in the shade.

For the Wanderers, midfielder Lorenzo Callegari is one of those players, joining other influential figures like Thomas Meilleur-Giguère and Kareem Sow, who will be out of contract at the end of the year.

It's unknown whether the midfield maestro will extend his stay in Halifax or opt to return to France, where his family lives.

There's still at least six matches for Wanderers supporters to catch the Frenchman. But, almost more importantly, there's another six weeks where the former Paris Saint-Germain player can share his knowledge.

Midfielder Lorenzo Callegari was integral in both of Halifax's goals versus FC Supra. (Photo Raphaël Williams-Claudio / FC Supra du Québec)

Striker Nelson Pierre, who recently joined on loan from the Whitecaps, can be counted amongst the diminutive midfielder's fan club. Olguin, too, is a disciple of the church of Callegari, having told HFX Football Post previously how much he's learning from the CPL centurion.

While still a Wanderer, Callegari's job is two-fold. Yes, he's there to help Sartini's side push for the playoffs. But he's also there to set an example for Pierre and Olguin and Ahmed and Tavio Ciccarelli and everyone else being developed by the club.

It's one of the reasons he's held to a higher standard by Sartini, who noted he met with Callegari for a coffee to discuss the miscommunication between the midfielder and defender Finn Linder that led to a goal against versus Cavalry.

Callegari responded to his coach's challenge (it's not the first time Sartini has asked more of him this season) with a terrific performance on Saturday, orchestrating the switch of play that led to Bahamboula's goal. Later, his through ball sprang Johnston, who beat Supra 'keeper Joakim Milli with a cool finish to the bottom right corner, and crowned the Frenchman as Halifax's all-time assist leader across all competitions.

There's little doubt Callegari is one of the best players in the CPL when he's at the top of his game.

Like his club, he now finds himself playing for today and for the future; he's pushing to achieve something this year and needs a deal for the next. If this is his last season in Canada, Callegari is already cemented as the greatest player in Wanderers history.

But his influence may extend long after his last match for the boys in blue. Saturday's victory at Stade Boréale was a win for the club's future, even if that's not where the goalposts started.

The question is: will Callegari be around next season to enjoy the shade from the trees he and other veteran players have planted?

Editor's Note: This article is part of our free coverage.