Rulani Mokwena has tendered his resignation as the coach of Al Ittihad SC just four months after joining the Libyan side, FARPost understands.
This publication has also gathered that the 39-year-old coach is locked in talks with Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC. As this publication earlier reported, he is not one of the over 80 hopefuls who applied for the Bafana Bafana job and staying in North Africa appears highly likely.
His exit from Al Ittihad comes as he is slowly carving himself a reputation as a nomad. Since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in June 2024, he has worked in North Africa, starting at Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
Heartbreak was to follow in Morocco when he left the club in April 2025 in the run-up to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. But his next stop was in Algeria, taking charge of heavyweights MC Alger.
The former Chippa United coach then dumped the Algerians midway through the 2025/26 campaign for what was believed to be a big-money gig at Al Ittihad. However, the Libya stint proved to be a short-lived one, lasting just four months.
WHY RULANI MOKWENA IS LEAVING AL ITTIHAD SC
FARPost understands that a frosty relationship had developed between Mokwena and his bosses at the Tripoli outfit. His superiors were not happy that the team missed out on a CAF Champions League spot after the former Orlando Pirates coach took over when they were on course to qualify for Africa.
After topping Group 2 in the Libyan Premier League regular season, Al Ittihad faltered in the championship round, in which they finished third in Group 1.
Mokwena also clashed with his bosses on transfers, an area in which they did not align. That meant sharp differences in the direction the two parties wanted the club to take, and in the end, Mokwena resigned.
Pyramids have approached the South African coach, and they are currently in discussions. Pyramids are looking to replace Croat Krunoslav Jurcic, who left in June after guiding them to the 2024/15 CAF Champions League title.
Also expected to follow Mokwena through the Al Ittihad exit door is Burkinabe striker Stephane Aziz Ki, who is said to be unhappy at the club.
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