Newly appointed Gallants’ head coach’s absence from the dugout raises questions

BLOEMFONTEIN – Newly appointed Marumo Gallants head coach Jamil Benouahi was a notable absentee from the dugout during another crucial Betway Premiership fixture against fellow relegation-bound opponents, Orbit College. This bizarre scenario was observed during a return league match staged at the Dr R.P Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein last Sunday (12 April).

The Moroccan Benouahi was listed as assistant coach on the team sheet though with Trevor Mathiane as head coach for this fixture, which ended in a goalless stalemate. Mathiane briefly oversaw the club as interim coach during the suspension of now-former head coach Alexander Lafitte from France. The Frenchman’s ultimate sacking was blamed on the club’s 12 match losing streak.

The reason for Benouahi’s absence against Orbit was certainly not due to work permit issues. He was in charge of the team in his first official match against Magesi last Tuesday.

“Jamil was asked not to be on the bench for this match,” commented club spokesperson Sello Nduna, who did not delve deeper into the reason for such a decision.

In his first official match in charge of the Gallants, Benouahi suffered a 0-3 loss to bottom-placed Magesi. The Moroccan’s absence from the dugout so early in his short-term deal has raised eyebrows and created speculation about his immediate future at the Bahlabane ba Ntwa. His mandate is to rescue the troubled club from relegation at the end of the season.

Julien Outrebon was another absentee from the Gallants bench, despite continuing as assistant coach beyond the sacking of his fellow Frenchman Lafitte. At the start of the current season, he was appointed as co-assistant coach together with Duncan Lechesa, forming part of the Lafitte-led technical team.

The shake-up saw Lechesa joined Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit, Black Leopards as co-coach with Sundra Govinder. Both previously served as co-assistant coaches at Gallants under Dan Malesela and Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Also read:Marumo enlists youthful Frenchman for top head coach post