There was a strange sense of unease surrounding Ikapa Sporting FC on Friday night.
Not only were the Solo Street outfit comprehensively beaten 3-0 at home by Young Bafana, bringing an abrupt end to a promising three-match unbeaten run, but head coach Zane Ryklief was nowhere to be seen on the touchline.
Ryklief’s unexpected absence immediately raised eyebrows among those in attendance, particularly as the coaching duties appeared to be overshadowed by Shane McGregor, who was seen issuing instructions and directing proceedings from behind the technical throughout the match.
The unusual scenes left supporters and observers asking the same question: where is Ryklief?
No Bones with Jones has established that Ryklief had not been with the squad for the entire week leading up to Friday’s fixture. Attempts by this publication to obtain comment from the coach regarding his whereabouts were unsuccessful.
However, Ikapa’s owner, Shaun Pietersen, moved to allay concerns, confirming to No Bones with Jones that Ryklief is currently off “sick.”
While the explanation may answer immediate questions regarding the coach’s absence, it is unlikely to silence speculation completely, particularly given the manner of Ikapa’s defeat and McGregor’s prominent role on the touchline.
For now, the mystery surrounding Ryklief’s absence has only deepened. And after being humbled on home soil, Ikapa’s next outing against Seaside Spurs has suddenly become about far more than three points.
