Montgomery: N’Kololo proved sceptics wrong to earn contract extension 

Central Coast Mariners forward Béni N’Kololo has signed a contract extension set to keep him at the Mariners for the next two seasons.

The winger arrived from French National League outfit US Concarnea prior to the 2021-22 A-League Men’s campaign; he went on to score seven goals and assist two more across 23 games and 19 starts, becoming a key figure in a Mariners outfit that surged into the finals and a fifth-place finish. 

Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery says any doubts over the Frenchman’s ability to impact the league prior to his arrival were quashed by his subsequent performances. 

“When Béni arrived, people asked questions and were sceptical and ignorant about a player coming from the French third division but with our budget, we have to be creative,” Montgomery told club media.

“It was clear he had massive quality and huge potential but needed a new environment and coaches who believed in him. Everyone could see his quality from the start and once he settled in, he was one of the best players in the league.

“He went from strength to strength and became a real asset for us and provided goals and assists and will continue to do that moving forward.”

The 25-year-old joins fellow 2021-22 attacking recruit Jason Cummings in re-signing with the club in recent weeks. He’s the seventh player to extend with the club in the off-season to date, along with Cummings, Storm Roux, Yaren Sözer, Josh Nisbet, Dan Hall and Max Balard. 

N’Kololo’s extension comes after the departure of club captain Oliver Bozanic to Western Sydney Wanderers. He joined Nicolai Müller, Matt Hatch, Noah Smith, Ruon Tongyik, Lewis Miller and Kye Rowles in departing the club, with Thomas Aquilina and Michael Ruhs joining the Mariners from rival ALM outfits. 

N’Kololo says he is relishing life in Australia, and is eager to keep his new side on an upward trajectory as the club target a third-straight venture to the finals in 2022-23.

“If you had told me two years ago that I would be playing my football in Australia I wouldn’t have believed you, but now that I am here, I am really happy and I love playing with the Mariners,” he said.

“I cannot wait for next season and I look forward to helping the team achieve further success.”