Siwelele Risk Losing Lafitte As Coaching Deal Stalls

Sportswire can exclusively reveal that Siwelele risk losing targeted head coach Alexandre Lafitte if club management fails to expedite his official appointment.

While Sportswire previously confirmed that Siwelele agreed to terms with Lafitte following the sacking of Lehlohonolo Seema earlier this month, the transaction remains unfinalized.

Lafitte arrived in Bloemfontein to complete the paperwork, but administrative delays have created frustration among his representatives as rival clubs’ express interest in the French tactician.

Seema and his assistant, former Orlando Pirates defender Willem Jackson, were relieved of their duties following Siwelele’s defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 September.

Since Seema’s departure, developmental coach Godfrey Mosoetsa—who normally heads the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side—has served as interim manager.

Mosoetsa gathered just one point from three matches, and with the reserve league kicking off this weekend, his return to the youth squad remains uncertain.

Lafitte, a UEFA A Licence holder, made history last season as the youngest head coach, 28, in the PSL. He famously guided Marumo Gallants to the Carling Knockout Cup final before falling to Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

However, Gallants parted ways with Lafitte in March following a seven-match winless streak across all competitions, which ended in a 1-0 loss to Pitso Dladla’s Durban City at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 1 March.

Lafitte remained unattached until Siwelele initiated contact. With the team languishing in 15th place on three points after seven matches, club insiders warn that time is running out to secure the Frenchman.

“He is waiting to be appointed,” revealed an insider close to the deal.

“However, several other clubs are monitoring his situation. He remains one of the youngest highly qualified managers globally, having started his head coaching career at Stade d’Abidjan in Ivory Coast.

“For a club in Siwelele’s current position, finalizing Lafitte represents a vital opportunity to steer the team out of the relegation zone.”