By Sulayman Bah
Acquired in excess of €300,000 from Belgian top tier outfit Waasland-Beveren, Ibou Sawaneh’s switch to SV 
Roeslare was described a massive scoop. The scorpion’s arrival was meant to spoil the gaffer with choice up front in attack.
With a potent of Ibou’s caliber and wealth of experience, Roeselare were expected to mount challenge back to the top division at season’s end. However against anticipations, the side is right on track for promotion but without much of Sawaneh’s involvement.
In fact the one-time feared attacker has gone from a major potent at coach Mercier’s disposal to a bit part player but not a surplus to requirement.
While other big name signings wouldn’t hesitate to fuel rage and trigger animosity with the coach when in such situation, for Ibou though, he’s understanding of it all and prefers to remain was unperturbed.
The 30-year-old had a disjointed pre-season drill with a transfer saga involving him over a proposed move to Turkey hampering his progress.
‘It is quite understandable because I don’t have competition rhythm so you wouldn’t expect me to work straight into the team,’ he says.
Competition for places which got him featured nine times from the bench and only once as a starter, also factors in the Gambian being currently overlooked.
‘I had to be patient but I feel I’m reaching my best form. The competition for places is fierce and that’s good thing for the team. However the coach also must make choices every week. Everyone is fighting for his place and it should be like that,’ Ibou, who’d once attracted interest from St Etienne Bayer Leverkusen and Utrecht two years ago, says.
