Teboho Setena
The Marumo Gallants’ concerted search for a suitable candidate for the head coaching position has culminated in the appointment of French-born Alexandre Lafitte (28). The club announced on Wednesday, 25 June, the youthful coach has been enlisted to influential position.
He has agreed to a two-year deal with the club, ending the 2026-27 season of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Lafitte takes over the reins from Moroccan-born Abdeslam Ouaddou, whom Orlando Pirates unveiled two days before as the head coach, replacing José Riveiro – who had an illustrious stint at the Soweto giants, amidst not winning the Premiership league title.
The Gallants were in the market to find a capable head coach following the dramatic resignation of Abdes, as Ouaddou was known in the Free State capital of Bloemfontein during his three-month spell.
The Frenchman’ impressive record was considered, which includes guiding the Ivory Coast team Stade Abidjan to winning the league championship in 2023. He was just 25 years old then, when the club rewrote history by winning its first league title in 56 years.
Lafitte’s coaching pedigree includes guiding the club to reach the CAF Champions League group stages in the 2023-’24 campaign.
The Gallants’ further considerations were the Frenchman’s qualifications. He reportedly holds a UEFA A licence and established his coaching stint with French giants Paris Saint-Germain FC, as the academy coach.
Sello Nduna, spokesperson for Bahlabane ba Ntwa, said Lafitte was expected to land in South Africa in two weeks’ time to begin his chapter to steer the Gallants to greater heights. According to him, the club was flooded with applications received from candidates interested in the coaching position. Tight-lipped on details of the applicants, Nduna said they came from across the African continent and internationally – as far as England.
In a media statement announcing Lafitte as the head coach, club president Dr Abram Sello expressed optimism with the abilities of the youthful Frenchman.
“Coach Alexander has a clear understanding of the direction we are taking as a club,” he said.
Nduna confirmed that the newly appointed French mentor was expected to work with the current technical personnel: co-assistant coaches Duncan Lechesa and Sundra Govinder, fitness trainers Amos Dhlomo and Mogomotsi Rangaka, as well as goalkeeper coach Jacob Mokhasi. The club’s medical team member, Dr Thembinkosi Nhlapo, will continue his role with the Gallants.
The club’s pre-season preparation officially began on Tuesday and Nduna said all the players would undergo medical assessment, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the players are in good health and well-being.
This process paves the way for arrival of Lafitte in order to enable him to hit the ground running in his ambitious mission to transforming the Gallants into a formidable force in South African football.
The Frenchman will be the youngest candidate in the history of the PSL to occupy the top position of head coach. Gallants focus on the games ahead
His predecessor, Ouaddou, is credited for inspiring the Gallants to finish in tenth position in the premiership rank this just-ended 2024-’25 season. He achieved this after taking over the reins from Dan Malesela, who had been sacked in March this year. The Gallants were facing relegation when the Moroccan took over the reins from Malesela.
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