Romuald Rakotondrabe joins Sudan's Al-Merrikh amid unpaid salary dispute

Former Madagascar national team coach Romuald Félix Rakotondrabe, known as Rôrô, has signed a one‑year contract, renewable on performance, to coach the U23 and reserve sides of Sudanese club Al‑Merrikh SC. The agreement was finalized after negotiations with the club’s management, and Rakotondrabe said he will work to develop a talent pipeline for the senior team.

Rakotondrabe disclosed that he has not received any salary since November 2024, despite his responsibilities with the Madagascar Football Federation and the state‑funded stadium authority. He described the unpaid wages as a driving factor behind his move to Al‑Merrikh, calling the transfer “inevitable” to support his family. The coach highlighted systemic issues in the remuneration of local technical staff, contrasting his situation with higher‑paid foreign coaches.