CS Constantine (بيت شباب قسنطينة) suffered a significant 5-1 defeat against ES Sétif (وفاق سطيف) in the third round of the Mobilis Professional League. This heavy loss on the field, where the team conceded five goals while scoring only one, has plunged the club into a period of internal unrest. Following the match, Coach Monder Kabiir (منذر الكبيّر) reportedly had a dispute with General Manager Tarek Arramah (طارق عرامة), an incident that has reportedly raised pressing questions about the club's stability and future direction, particularly regarding its coaching leadership and player discipline. The magnitude of the defeat against ES Sétif, a key league fixture, has amplified the scrutiny on the team's performance and management.
Coach's Blame and Disputes
The significant loss to ES Sétif has reportedly caused considerable division within CS Constantine. This internal discord is particularly evident as some individuals within the club are now openly demanding the departure of coach Monder Kabiir. Mr. Kabiir, for his part, has offered an explanation for the team's performance, attributing the disappointing results and the heavy defeat to the club's limited activity in the summer transfer window. He suggests that the lack of significant new signings hampered the team's ability to reinforce its squad adequately. The reported dispute between Coach Kabiir and General Manager Arramah immediately after the match further shows the tensions simmering within the club's hierarchy.
Player Discipline and Absences
Adding to the club's challenges, CS Constantine captain Ibrahim Dib has been suspended by the Disciplinary Committee. His suspension is pending a formal hearing scheduled for Thursday. Dib received a red card during the contentious match against ES Sétif, an incident that further exacerbated the team's difficulties on the pitch. The referee's report from the game provided specific details regarding the infraction, accusing Dib of both insults and attempted assault during the heated encounter. This disciplinary action against the team captain notes concerns about player conduct.
Further complicating squad availability for upcoming fixtures, several key players were absent from the ES Sétif match due to international commitments. Players Tourash and Bezimana were called up for international duty with Uganda and Rwanda, respectively, making them unavailable for the key league game. Additionally, Belkouray is currently with the Olympic national team training camp, which is under the leadership of Rafik Saifi. These international call-ups, while a recognition of the players' talent, present a challenge for the club in maintaining squad depth during important league matches.
Team Preparations and Returns
Despite the recent setbacks and internal turmoil, CS Constantine is actively preparing for an upcoming match against US Biskra. This next league fixture is scheduled for either October 7, 8, or 9, providing a short window for the team to regroup. In a decisive move to intensify preparations and address the team's recent performance, Coach Monder Kabiir has opted to shorten the players' rest period following the ES Sétif match. This decision aims to utilize the international break for additional training sessions, focusing on tactical adjustments and physical conditioning.
In a positive development for the squad, goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya has received medical clearance to rejoin team training. Mr. Bouhalfaya had been sidelined with a shoulder injury, an ailment that unfortunately caused him to miss the first three matches of the current season. His return is expected to bolster the team's options in goal, providing much-needed depth and experience as they look to recover from their recent heavy defeat and stabilize their position in the Mobilis Professional League.