Rulani Mokwena set to keep alive his CAF Champions League ambitions with MC Alger
Image: AFP
Rulani Mokwena's ambitions to continue coaching in Africa, particularly with a team participating in the CAF Champions League, have come to fruition.
His new club, MC Alger, clinched their ninth league title last season, securing their spot as automatic qualifiers for Africa's prestigious club competition. The 38-year-old South African tactician has signed a two-year contract, marking a new chapter in his coaching career.
MC Alger announced Mokwena's appointment on their official social media channels, stating: 'Rulani Mokwena is the new coach of the dean of the Algerian clubs. Rulani Mokwena! Welcome to Mouloudia.'
His arrival in Algiers comes on the heels of the departure of Tunisian coach Khaled Ben Yahia, who had a short-term contract with the club that ended last season.
Rhulani Mokwena named new MC Alger head coach. pic.twitter.com/ma8h5o5VFR — African Soccer Updates (@Africansoccerup) July 13, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Mokwena previously coached at Wydad AC in Morocco after a successful spell with South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, where he established himself as an innovative coach. His tactical versatility, especially his preferred 3-4-3 formation, earned him a reputation for being a coach who promoted attacking play.
While at Wydad, Mokwena completed 17 matches, achieving seven wins, six draws, and four losses. However, a lack of alignment on club objectives led to an amicable parting of ways in May 2025, leaving Mokwena in high demand across Africa.
He attracted interest from several clubs, including Pyramids FC and Zamalek SC in Egypt, as well as teams from South Africa and the Gulf region.
His consistent commitment to maintaining his link with CAF Champions League contenders ultimately led him to choose MC Alger over other offers. In its 103-year history, MC Alger has competed nine times in the Champions League and made history by winning the title in their 1976 debut.
The club aims to build on their recent successes, having reached the quarter-finals of the last CAF Champions League edition before being narrowly defeated by Orlando Pirates, a match imbued with added significance for Mokwena, given his ties to the South African side.
His coaching journey aligns perfectly with the club's ambitions, as they seek to dominate domestically and make an impact on the continental stage.
MC Alger's decision reflects their commitment to not only reclaim domestic titles but also improve their standing in Africa while competing against formidable opponents. Mokwena now faces the challenge of eclipsing rivals like Sead Ramovic of CR Belouizdad and Josef Zinnbauer of JS Kabylie, making the upcoming season in Algeria particularly competitive.
As Mokwena settles into his new role, he will focus on leveraging his tactical insight and experience to strengthen the squad for both national and international aspirations. His appointment will bolster MC Alger's profile while solidifying his status as one of African football's most promising coaching talents.
He becomes the first South African to coach in the Algerian Premier League, and at the age of 38, Mokwena will be the youngest coach in the CAF Champions League next season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: R7-million goalkeeper to make way for new signing
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeping department is set to undergo changes. Kaizer Chiefs are making wholesale changes across their squad. Meaning, no position is immune to being cut by Amakhosi management. The latest player heading out is this R7-million goalkeeper. Chiefs will be loaning out of selling Fiacre Ntwari. 'Its believed that they are still planning on loaning out Ntwari and bringing in another goalkeeper, but that will affect Ntwari and Chiefs are still working on his move before the start of the season,' the insider told SNL. Meaning, Amakhosi plans to release Ntwari. Meanwhile, Chiefs are still in the market for a new goalkeeper. So, Nasreddine Nabi and Amakhosi management are set to release Ntwari to make space for a new keeper. This will also free up a foreign-based spot in the Amakhosi squad. Stanley Nwabili is one of the big-name potential replacements lined up by Chiefs. Yanga SC have expressed interested in signing Ntwari. 'Yanga SC have enquired about Ntwari and it remains to be seen whether they are the rightful suitors or there are teams locally who could get him on loan. But from Chiefs perspective, they are still looking at opening space in the goalkeeping department,' he added on the same publication. So, a move out of Naturena is in the best interest of both parties involved. For Ntwari, he needs to move if he is going to play more regularly. He was dropped by Nabi halfway through the 2024/25 PSL season. He was replaced by Brandon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma who rotated the starting berth in goal throughout the second half of the campaign. Meanwhile, as mentioned, Chiefs want to create space for a new goalkeeper and they want to free up space for future international signings. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
He is not good enough to captain the Springboks
The Springboks have many leaders in the current elite crop of players. The Springboks have a multitude of natural-born leaders. The likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph Du Toit and even Ruan Nortje all have leadership experience and traits of a captain. Namely, to lead from the front with consistant performances on the pitch. However, I feel that Salmaan Moerat is not at the same calibre as these men in terms of form and Springboks experience. Playing in the green and gold, in itself, is an honour. Therefore, to captain the Springboks is an even greater honour. An honour that deserves a man who puts in consistantly impactful performances that are head-and0-shoulders above his teammates. He must be a leader on and off the pitch. Now, take nothing away from Moerat as a rugby player but he is simply not at the same calibre as the other leaders in the Bok squad. Firstly, he has put in below-par performances for the Springboks when handed the captains armband. He was below-par against Italy in the second test and average last year against Portugal in Bloemfontein. Furthermore, the Springboks have world-class locks in Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Ruan Nortje fit, ready and raring to go. So, Moerat will struggle to get into the 2027 Rugby World Cup squad. Finally, he does not have the same leadership experience at national level or at club level as the likes of Kolisi, Etzebeth, Mbonambi, Du Toit or Pollard. Moerat has 11 national caps. Meanwhile, the above players all have over 50 international caps and they are closing in on being centurians. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Springboks vs Argentina in London: Over 50 000 tickets sold
Over 50 000 tickets have already been snapped up for the final match of the 2025 Rugby Championship between the Springboks and Argentina at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, 4 October. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 (UK time). Fresh off a resounding win against the Barbarians and two strong showings against Italy, the world champion Springboks look to be in imperious form. Rassie Erasmus's men will look to end their Rugby Championship campaign in style, but Argentina, always fierce competitors, will no doubt be ready to challenge them. This eagerly anticipated Autumn International clash is expected to sell out , with fans eager to see several of rugby's superstars in action at one of the sport's most iconic venues. From £55 for adults £28 for children (U16) (Limited availability. Booking fees apply) 👉 Visit to secure your seat. Don't miss your chance to witness world-class rugby on English soil. The countdown is on! Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
