Loboko faces early test as El-Merriekh Bentiu begin new era
By Isaac Denish
El-Merriekh SC Bentiu have entered a new chapter under Congolese coach Jean Claude Loboko, but an early run of inconsistent results has raised questions about how quickly the team can adapt to his tactical approach.
Loboko was appointed after the club ended the tenure of coach Ibrahim Husein “Abrahoma” following an exceptional season. He arrives in Bentiu with a strong domestic record after guiding Jamus SC Juba to the league title without suffering a defeat.
But replicating that success at El-Merriekh will present a different challenge, with Loboko tasked not only with producing results but also with introducing a different footballing philosophy.
Under Husein, commonly known as “Abrahoma,” El-Merriekh relied heavily on possession, building attacks from the back, short passing and controlling the tempo of matches.
Loboko, by contrast, has tended to favor a more direct approach, using long balls, quick transitions from defense to attack and exploiting spaces behind opposition defensive lines.
The tactical shift requires players to adjust their positioning, movement and decision-making, particularly after becoming accustomed to a possession-oriented system during the previous season.
Loboko has overseen three competitive matches since taking charge, with El-Merriekh yet to record a victory.
The team lost 1-0 to Al Ghazala Wau in the Cup final, missing an early opportunity to win a trophy under their new coach.
In the Premier League, El-Merriekh opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Munuki SC before drawing 1-1 with Super Star in the second round.
The record leaves Loboko with two draws and one defeat from his first three competitive matches.
For a club accustomed to competing for major honors, the results are unlikely to satisfy supporters. But judging the coach after only three matches could be premature, particularly as the team continues to adapt to his tactical ideas.
The central question for El-Merriekh is whether Loboko can change the team’s style without weakening the qualities that made it successful last season.
A move from possession-based football to a more direct system cannot be completed overnight. Players must understand new movements, positioning and patterns of play, while the coach must determine how best to use the strengths already available within the squad.
Loboko’s success at Jamus came within a system that suited his tactical approach. El-Merriekh, however, have different players, a different team personality and different expectations.
Rather than imposing one fixed style, Loboko may need to adapt his ideas to the characteristics of his squad while retaining some of the strengths developed under Husein.
The next major challenge comes on the continental stage, where El-Merriekh Bentiu face Heegan FC of Somalia in the CAF Champions League qualifying round.
The fixture could provide Loboko with his first major test of handling continental pressure and establishing a clear identity beyond domestic competition.
It also offers an opportunity to turn around the team’s difficult start and demonstrate that the early results are part of a broader transition.
A strong performance could give the new coach and his players momentum and confidence. Continued struggles, however, could increase pressure on Loboko as expectations rise.
The coming matches will determine whether Loboko can successfully reshape El-Merriekh’s playing identity while preserving the qualities that made the team competitive last season.
In football, results ultimately determine the fate of coaches, and Loboko’s record at El-Merriekh Bentiu will eventually provide the clearest verdict on his tenure.
