Following MC Alger’s victory over Sead Ramović’s side in Algeria’s Ligue 1, coach Rulani Mokwena declined to take personal credit, shunning personal glory as his club enjoys a smooth start in his maiden season.
Mokwena and Ramović have been at odds ever since their time in the PSL at Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy respectively. When their rivalry was finally renewed, Mokwena came out on top as MC Alger edged CR Belouizdad 2‑1 at Stade Ali Ammar in a league tie on Monday night.
Farid El Melali gave Ramović’s side the lead after 17 minutes, but Mokwena’s men struck back through Soufiane Bayazid and Alhassane Bangoura on the 23rd and 81st minute to snatch the win.
After nine league games, MC Alger sit at the top of the table with 25 points and still have three matches in hand. The team’s early surge has put them in a prime position to keep climbing and retain the league title. However, they are winless in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group C, with one point after two matches.
Under Mokwena’s tutelage this season, The Mouloudia have recorded eight league wins and one draw. Their victory over CR Belouizdad moved them four points clear at the summit of the Algerian Ligue 1 table, ahead of Olympique Akbou.
MOKWENA HUMBLES HIMSELF DESPITE A TRAILBLAZING START IN ALGERIA AND BEATING RAMOVIC
However, the former Sundowns gaffer, Mokwena has refused to take credit for the progress, instead heaping praise on club president Mohamed Hakim Hadj Redjem and the players.
“I cannot take the credit for the win. The coaches don’t play, so I need to give a little credit to the players, especially for the good preparation. The training was good, and the energy, even in the video sessions, was very good,” he said.
“I also have to give a lot of credit to the staff. The medical team is why you see many players back from injury and able to help the team. The coaches are doing a lot of very good work. We have a lot of work that we do behind the scenes, so credit goes to the whole team, including the coaches.
“I want to thank the president; he is the one who won against CR Belouizdad. Congratulations to him. And, of course, the fans – they were shouting ‘Bangoura!’ which gave him a lot of energy.”
Mokwena pleaded with the team’s supporters to keep up their unwavering support as the 2025/26 season slowly reaches its boiling point.
“I love it when the fans support the players and believe in them; you can see the results of that. My only request is that they must do more and more for each and every player,” Mokwena added.
“We have a little bit of a problem from a periodisation perspective in terms of our planning and trying to manage the load. In this phase of the season, it’s a lot more about freshness.
“We don’t train a lot on the pitch, but we have many video sessions, post‑match analysis, and pre‑match analysis. I know the players don’t really like the video sessions, but I have to help them to save their legs and train their brains.”
RELATED STORY: Rulani Mokwena reveals the ‘weapon he trusts more than his mouth’