Marumo Gallants have officially announced the suspension of head coach Alexandre Lafitte with immediate effect. The 28-year-old French tactician, who led the club to a historic Carling Knockout final earlier this season, now faces an internal disciplinary process that could signal the end of his tenure.The decision comes less than 24 hours after Gallants suffered a narrow defeat to Durban City on Sunday, extending a worrying winless streak that has seen the club struggle to find its footing in the 2026 campaign.Why Was Lafitte Suspended?
While poor results on the pitch played a role, the club’s official statement highlighted deeper internal friction. Club Spokesperson Sello Nduna confirmed that the suspension stems from a “failure to comply with contractual duties,” alongside performance concerns.”The club takes matters of governance, professionalism, and accountability seriously.
Management is concerned about the team’s current poor performance and will be announcing the acting head coach in due course.” — Marumo Gallants Official Statement.A Season of Two HalvesLafitte’s arrival at the start of the season—replacing Abdeslam Ouaddou, who departed for Orlando Pirates—initially looked like a masterstroke.
The High: Under his guidance, Gallants reached the Carling Knockout Final, narrowly losing 1-0 to a star-studded Pirates side.The Low: Since December 2025, the team has endured a seven-match winless streak, plummeting down the Betway Premiership standings and sparking fears of a relegation scrap.What’s Next for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa?Operations at the club are expected to continue as normal while the hierarchy finalizes an interim coaching appointment. Fans are eagerly awaiting news on who will lead the team in their next fixture as they look to break their three-month victory drought.
