The talks for an enterprising deal between Moroccan-born coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and the Marumo Gallants have proven to be a deal-breaker. The parties were negotiating contract extensions after Ouaddou remarkably guided the club towards retaining its prestigious Premier Soccer League (PSL) status this just-ended 2024-’25 season.
The Gallants ended in tenth position on the premiership log, falling short by two points to secure a berth in next season’s top eight competition. Ouaddou managed this within his initial three-month period, having taken over the reins in early March this year.
In general football terms, a good deal is two-years with an extension thereof between coaches and teams in South Africa. The talks did not materialise between the parties. Ouaddou announced his departure on Saturday, 31 May, via a media statement shared on his Facebook page: Gallants enter a fierce tie-breaker
In the statement, he announced the end of the relationship he termed “an adventure” with the Marumo Gallants. “It has been a great pleasure to have collaborated with all resources of the club. I would like to thank – first of all – my players, my president as well as the stakeholders of the club, who participate from near or far in this mission to save the club without forgetting our magnificent supporters.
“The people of Bloemfontein will remain in my heart forever. I wish the best to the Marumo Gallants, as well as to my players. I love you guys. I obviously, remain open to any proposal for an ambitious project and am determined to take on a new challenge.”
During an interview with BloemExpress, Ouaddou, on the sideline of achieving the mandate to save the team from relegation, initially indicated a deal was imminent with the Gallants saying: “I think I am very happy with Marumo. I am very happy in Bloemfontein; it is a very nice city. I am very happy with the people I work with (in the technical team) – they are fantastic bunch. I am working in a fantastic country as well. So, the talks are going well and hopefully I will find a good agreement with the club to continue. I think there is big potential here at the club and I want to be part of this project, to help the club be more competitive and win some trophies.”
Ouaddou’s reference of personnel in the technical team meant Duncan Lechesa, Govinder Sundra (co-assistant coaches), Jacob Mokhasi (goalkeeper coach), Mogomotsi Rangaka (sport science), and Amos Dhlomo (physical trainer).
On the cusp of relegation, the team enlisted Ouaddou in a last-ditch effort to avoid the dreaded fate. And club director, Dr Abram Sello, had described the decision as a big gamble given the Moroccan mentor had ten matches to secure the Gallants’ future in South Africa’s elite football ranking.
The club was yet to confirm Ouaddou’s departure, and the search for a new head coach to lead the charge in the forthcoming 2025-’26 premiership season.
