Marumo Gallants have strengthened their midfield by signing Ivorian central midfielder Mohammed Doumbia on a season-long loan from Tanzanian club Young Africans [Yanga SC]. The 27-year-old comes to South Africa for a fresh start after a difficult five-month period in Dar es Salaam.
Doumbia is a typical ‘number 8’, a technical player who excels at ball progression and linking play. While he may lack the physical dominance of some peers, his tactical awareness and ability to move the ball forward are seen as key assets in coach Alexandre Lafitte’s system.
Young Africans’ management is on record as saying they wanted two of their August signings to play regularly. Ecua has moved to Algeria on loan with JS Kabylie, while Doumbia joins Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
MOHAMMED DOUMBIA FACED STIFF COMPETITION
Despite arriving at Timu ya Wananchi with high expectations from Burkina Faso’s Majestic FC, the Ivorian struggled to adapt to the Tanzanian league. He faced stiff competition for places against the likes of Maxi Mpia Nzengeli, Yahya Mudathir, Duke Abuya, Lassine Kouma and Khamis Shekhani.
The arrival of the more attack-minded Allan Okello further limited his opportunities, prompting a loan move to the Betway Premiership. The Uganda international, Okello, can also play as an eight. The Jangwani giants have also signed Angolan Depu, who has scored three goals in two games so far.
Doumbia’s versatility has seen him utilised in various roles. Under former coach Romain Folz, he was deployed as a ‘10’, but in Pedro Conçalves’ 4-3-3 formation, he is expected to thrive as one of the two ‘8s’ ahead of a lone holding midfielder.
Capped twice for the Ivory Coast national team, he previously had stints in the Czech Republic with FC Dukla Prague and Slovan Liberec. He also played in Finland for Ekenäs IF. Doumbia joins a growing Ivorian contingent in Bloemfontein, including Ibrahim Bance, Eroine Agnikoi, and fellow new signing Romaric Ouattara.
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