IRAQ COME CALLING
In-demand Amrouche offered Iraqi job and several others
Having officially parted ways with Botswana football last Thursday, it seems Adel Amrouche will not be unemployed for long. In a possible case of ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’, the 54-year-old Algerian has been offered the job of Head Coach of Iraq’s national team.
Indeed, despite a disappointing two-year reign in charge of the Zebras, Amrouche is a coach in demand.
As well as the Iraq post, which became vacant last month after Sergeko Katanic quit in protest over unpaid wages, Amrouche has received several other offers.
In an exclusive interview with Voice Sport where he confirmed the Iraq job offer, the sought-after tactician revealed he would fly back to his Belgium base next week and would weigh up his options then.
“I have not decided where to go yet. I have offers from Africa, Middle East and Europe, but I do not want to rush into things.”
Amrouche admitted he was tempted by the thought of joining Iraq - a nation currently ranked 68th in the world, a whopping 82 places above Botswana!
The well-travelled coach, who assumed control of the Zebras back in August 2019 on a two-year deal, further revealed it was not the first time he had been approached by the ‘Lions of Mesopotamia’.
“Iraq is a big team with professional players, most of them playing in Europe. This is not the first time they offered me a job. They did it in 2017, a year before I joined Libya national team. I was doing a UEFA coaching course so I took a break from coaching and they hired another coach,” he explained.
Initially, Amrouche’s last assignment with Botswana was meant to be the COSAFA Cup, which takes place in South Africa later this month (6th - 18th July).
However, the relationship came to a premature but amicable end after Amrouche requested leave of absence to attend to a personal family matter back home in Belgium.
BFA agreed, issuing a statement last Thursday announcing ‘they had amicably resolved to release him with immediate effect’.
Reflecting on his time in Botswana,
Amrouche conceded it had not been an easy journey – a record of just one win in ten games in charge, a painful testimony to his words!
“The most challenging thing was that Botswana had no competitive football for the past 16 months. Having gone for over a year without any action meant players’ match fitness was compromised as we played the crucial AFCON qualifiers.”
Ending the interview on a high note, Amrouche told Voice Sport he was especially proud of his role in helping Botswana’s ‘Moroccan musketeers’ secure employment in North Africa.
“I have helped three players: Kabelo Seakanyeng, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Tumisang Orebonye, to find teams in other countries so that they can get exposure to professional league.”
Meanwhile, the Zebras are currently in camp preparing for COSAFA under the tutelage of Amrouche’s former assistant, Letang Kgengwenyane, and Morupule Head Coach, Chico Nare.
The local lads kick-start their campaign with a tricky encounter against the hosts, South Africa, on Tuesday (6th July). They then play Lesotho (9th July) before facing up against eswatini (13th July) in what they will consider to be two very winnable games.