Rulani Mokwena has explained why his current role coaching MC Alger in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 is his “hardest job” yet, surpassing stints at giants like Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Wydad AC.
The 38-year-old coach joined MC Alger after parting ways with Morocco’s Wydad, where he spent the 2024/25 season. He joined the Algiers-based club at the start of the current season.
Mokwena has started his tenure at the helm of MC Alger impressively. Over the weekend, he guided the side to a 1‑0 win over El Bayadh at the Stade Zakaria Medjdoub and reclaimed the top spot in the Algerian top-flight.
In eight outings, they have dropped points only once, when they drew with USM Alger, and have won the other seven games. He has also guided them to the CAF Champions League group stages, where they were drawn against Sudan’s Al Hilal, Sundowns, and DRC’s FC Lupopo.
RULANI MOKWENA: ‘THIS IS PROBABLY MY HARDEST JOB…’
“This has been an incredible, educational challenge, and something I’ve really enjoyed, even though I must say this is probably my hardest job,” he told SAFJA members during a Zoom session on Wednesday.
“This is the hardest job that I’ve done from many different aspects of football management. This job encompasses the technical, psychological, political and managerial sides of it. From the players to the staff, the management, the president and dealing with the administrative issues. And managing the facility, dealing with logistics, and so it’s been a great challenge, but one that I’m enjoying with a lot of support from my staff.”
The Soweto-born coach is surrounded by familiar faces, including revered goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson, conditioning coach Sibusiso Mahlangu, and Enzo Donis, who previously served as assistant coach for the Togo national team.
The 29-year-old Donis has been involved in football since he was 15, working in France, Belgium, Spain, and the DRC.
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