Rulani Mokwena, recently linked to a move to Pyramids FC in Egypt, has now emerged as a target for the newly crowned Algerian champions, MC Alger.
The nine-time Algerian champions are seeking to fill the vacancy left by Khaled Ben Yahia, who departed after his contract expired.
The Tunisian coach replaced Patrice Amir Beaumelle in late December following a mutual decision to part ways. The club’s management terminated Beaumelle’s contract after a 1-0 home defeat to Sudanese team Al-Hilal Club last Saturday, during the third round of Group A in the CAF Champions League.
Beaumelle had been in charge since March 2023, leading the team to the 2023/24 league title. Ben Yahia was at the helm for only 195 days, managing 28 matches, including two against Orlando Pirates.
He was at the helm during a 1-0 home loss and a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium, which resulted in an exit in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Overall, he recorded 14 wins, 11 draws, and three losses. During his tenure, he secured both the league title and the Super Cup, marking the second consecutive season the team won the league. Ben Yahia has now departed along with his technical staff.
RULANI MOKWENA A TARGET FOR MC ALGER
Information gathered by FARPost indicates that the club’s management has inquired whether Mokwena would be interested in the MC role. The club also contacted another former Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, who is currently with Golden Arrows.
The 38-year-old Mokwena is currently unattached after parting ways with Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco in May. He is now at home, evaluating his options with his representatives.
Reigning African champions Pyramids had shown interest in Mokwena but are likely to keep Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic. Zamalek also approached Mokwena, but he is on record as saying he withdrew from negotiations after discovering that his mentor, Pitso Mosimane, was also a candidate for the same position.
The former Orlando Pirates coach is now strongly linked with the Algerian club, which recently secured its second consecutive league title. They will compete in the CAF Champions League, an opportunity Mokwena eagerly awaits after numerous appearances with Sundowns.
Mokwena won three league titles, the inaugural African Football League and the Nedbank Cup as head coach of Sundowns. He was part of Pitso Mosimane’s technical team that guided the Brazilians to the CAF Champions League title in 2016.
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