Football Season Guide

RFC Seraing were promoted last season after finishing second in Belgian First Division B then winning the promotion-relegation play-off against Waasland-Beveren. This was a second straight promotion after moving up from the Third Division the season before last. There have been several key close season departures. Manager Emilio Ferrara has left to be replaced by former Eupen boss Jordi Condom. On the playing staff the most significant exit is that of Mikautadze who hit 22 league goals last season. The inexperienced Mouandilmadji is his replacement. He comes in on a free after failing to impress in the Portuguese league. Right-back Swers, who made the team of the year last season, has also moved on with his replacement, Sambu, coming in from French Third Division side Cholet. There is little money available for additional reinforcements and they are reliant on their links to French Ligue 1 side Metz for loans. They have retained the services of winger Ablie Jallow, one of their standout players from last season, extending his loan deal from Metz for another year. On paper their squad looks weaker than last season. Condom still wants to add another four or five players. How these additions perform will go a long way to determine if they stay up. Condom is under no illusions about the task he faces: “Our goal is survival. Anything on top of that is a bonus.”