In response to recent accusations from former coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Marumo Gallants President Abram Sello has firmly denied claims of financial instability, asserting that the club has always been financially sound.
Ouaddou’s Allegations of Contract Breach
Abdeslam Ouaddou, who recently joined Orlando Pirates, alleged that Marumo Gallants failed to uphold their contractual obligations for the upcoming season.
The former mentor claimed his contract was breached, stating, “I had an appointment in Johannesburg with my chairman, and I learned that he won’t be able to pay the salary we negotiated when I arrived in March.”
Ouaddou further explained his predicament: “The target was to serve the club for two years, and we had already negotiated everything, but when someone tells you they can’t afford to pay you next season, there are two choices: you can decide to stop, or if you love the club, if you love the people and players, you will try and find a solution. So, I asked the chairman for another offer, he gave me an offer with a clause I did not like, a clause that was very unfair.”
President Sello’s Rebuttal
During a press conference in Johannesburg, Marumo Gallants President Abram Sello directly addressed Ouaddou’s claims, emphatically stating, “Marumo Gallants has never had financial difficulties. We’ve always been stable. We don’t overcommit. We don’t under commit. We do up to our level as a club.”
Sello emphasized the club’s independent financial approach, adding, “We are not competing with any club financially, in whatever way.” He also highlighted the lack of payment complaints from players, asserting, “None of any of our players has ever said that they have never been paid by the club.”
Reiterating the club’s strong financial standing, Sello concluded, “Financially, we are stable, We are very sober and we are going to run with this league and get the results which we expect or we deserve.”
Club Performance Under Ouaddou
Under Ouaddou’s guidance, Marumo Gallants finished the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season in tenth place, narrowly missing out on MTN8 qualification. Additionally, the team enjoyed a successful run in the Nedbank Cup, reaching the semi-final stage before being defeated by Orlando Pirates.