Rulani Mokwena Sets Sights on Making MC Alger a Top African Club After Wydad Exit
- Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed his top priority at MC Alger
- Mokwena will work alongside familiar faces from Sundowns including, as part of his new coaching staff
- After a short-lived and turbulent tenure at Wydad Casablanca, Mokwena looks to rebuild his reputation and lead MC Alger to domestic and continental success
Former Wydad Athletic Club and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has disclosed his main goal at Algerian giants MC Alger.
Mokwena, who was recently confirmed as the new man in charge at the Algerian champions, has laid out his objectives.
Source: Getty Images
He explained that his aspiration is to convert MC Alger into one of the best clubs on the continent. He said his main thrust would be to defend the league title and win more trophies.
“My main objective is to help make MC Alger one of the best clubs on the African continent. Today, the real work begins; achieving our goals won’t be easy, but we’re ready for the challenge. My staff and I are also very pleased with the training facilities,” said Mokwena during a press conference held on Monday in Algeria.
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Mokwena also spoke highly of his predecessor, acknowledging the significant work done at the club:
“I have also watched several MC Alger matches and analysed them. Khaled Ben Yahia did a great job, especially defensively. There is a lot of work ahead to make our attack more efficient. We currently have three foreign players, and we still have the right to sign a fourth.”
Source: Twitter
Mokwena also unveiled his technical team, which he will work with: former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Wendell Robinson, former Sundowns conditioning coach Sibusiso Mahlangu, and Togo assistant coach Enzo Donis.
Watch the clip below as Rulani Mokwena officially starts as coach of MC Alger.
Short-lived Wydad tenure ends in frustration
Mokwena, 38, lasted just one season at Wydad, where initial optimism gave way to inconsistency. Despite a competitive squad, Wydad finished third in the Botola Pro League after a frustrating campaign marked by a string of draws.
A run of seven consecutive stalemates derailed their ambitions of CAF Champions League qualification and eventually led to the club parting ways with the coach.
The final stretch of the season saw Mokwena absent from the dugout for three matches, signaling a breakdown in the relationship before the official announcement of a mutual contract termination.
What went wrong at Wydad?
Briefly News previously reported that Rhulani Mokwena has parted ways with Wydad Casablanca with just three games left in the season.
The 1-1 draw against Olympic Club de Safi was the breaking point. Football analyst Brighton Bafana told Briefly News that Mokwena is tactically sharp but struggles with the mental side of leadership. At a club like Wydad, managing pressure and egos is just as important as getting results.
Which other clubs was Rulani linked to?
After his exit from Wydad, Mokwena became linked with several clubs, from the Orlando Pirates job to taking over the hot seat at the recently crowned CAF Champions League winners, Pyramids FC, to Egyptian giants Zamalek. With his new job confirmed, it will be interesting to see how the South African will fare this time around.
Moeneeb Josephs raises concerns over Rulani Mokwena
Briefly News previously reported that Orlando Pirates legend Moeneeb Josephs expressed concern over Rulani Mokwena’s potential return as head coach.
Josephs questioned whether Mokwena was the right fit to replace the outgoing Jose Riveiro, citing past tensions and controversy during Mokwena’s previous stint at the club.
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Source: Briefly News
