Hervé Koffi’s position at RC Lens remains increasingly uncertain, with the Burkinabe international goalkeeper spending much of the season relegated to the reserve team and seeing limited first-team opportunities under manager Will Still.
The 27-year-old, once seen as a potential mainstay between the posts for Lens, has found himself firmly behind Australian keeper Mathew Ryan in the pecking order.
Koffi, who was part of the matchday squad during Lens’ recent 4-0 home defeat to Auxerre, remained on the bench as Ryan started in goal.
It was the club’s second consecutive loss at home, following a 2-0 defeat to Reims, further denting their hopes of European qualification.
With just 45 points from their Ligue 1 campaign, Lens now sit eighth in the table—nine points adrift of sixth-placed Nice, the final spot for European competition.
In the wake of the team’s deteriorating form and Koffi’s conspicuous absence from first-team action, Lens manager Will Still was asked to clarify the status of his relationship with the goalkeeper.
Dismissing any notion of a rift, Still emphasised the importance of Koffi’s role in the club’s wider structure, including its reserve team, which competes in France’s National 3 division.
“We would be stupid not to do it,” said Still, referring to the decision to have Koffi feature for the reserves.
“The Lens B team is battling for survival in National 3, and when we asked him if he’d be willing to help, he said yes immediately. It also gives him valuable game time.”
Koffi’s professionalism has been one of the few positives in what has otherwise been a frustrating season for the Burkinabe international.
Once Lens’ first-choice keeper, he has seen his role significantly reduced following Ryan’s arrival, and now contributes primarily at the reserve level.
However, Still was quick to praise the goalkeeper’s attitude and dedication.
“Hervé is a true professional. He does everything the right way,” the Belgian coach added. “There are no issues between him and me.
If he’s willing to help the reserve side in such a crucial period, that’s something to appreciate.”
While Still’s comments suggest mutual respect remains intact, Koffi’s future with the club is far from secure.
With only a handful of games left in the season and Lens’ European ambitions slipping away, the goalkeeper’s prospects of regaining a regular first-team place look slim.
The reserve appearances may offer him some much-needed minutes on the pitch, but they are unlikely to satisfy the ambitions of a player who has represented his country at major international tournaments.
Koffi, who previously featured prominently for both club and country, now faces a pivotal moment in his career.
With the transfer window on the horizon and his playing time at Lens increasingly limited, a move elsewhere may be on the cards if he is to continue competing at the highest level.
For now, his commitment to helping the club’s reserve team highlights his character and professionalism, even as uncertainty looms over his long-term role at RC Lens.
