Recently appointed MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena has outlined his goals for the club and acknowledged that he expects challenging competition in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
Mokwena revealed his plans during the official unveiling on Monday in Algeria, alongside his technical team consisting of two assistant coaches, Enzo Dunes and Wendell Robinson, while Sibusiso Mahlangu will serve as strength and conditioning coach.
The former Wydad AC and Mamelodi Sundowns coach said he is planning to make Alger the best team on the continent. He also assured the attendees that he is ready for the hard work that is awaiting them.
“My main objective is to help make MC Alger one of the best clubs on the African continent. Today, the real work begins; achieving our goals won’t be easy, but we’re ready for the challenge. My staff and I are also very pleased with the training facilities,” said Mokwena during a press conference.
Alger are the defending league champions, having edged JS Kabylie by two points to lift the trophy. They also won the Algerian Super Cup, and Mokwena is eager to defend those trophies.
“I’m very happy to be in Algeria and at MC Alger. I have joined a team that has just won two titles, and that’s important for me. Now, the mission is to defend those trophies and go even further.
The 38-year-old is set to reignite his rivalry with CR Belouizdad coach Sead Ramovic that began during his time at TS Galaxy while Mokwena was still at the helm of Sundowns.
He will also have a chance to face off against his former mentor Josef Zinnbauer, whom he was his assistant to during their stint at Orlando Pirates in 2019. Zinnbauer is currently the head coach of JS Kabylie
“I took the time to study the Algerian league and football culture. The gap between the top three teams last season was very small, and it shows how tough the competition here is. There are excellent coaches in the league, some of whom I have faced before and know their high level.
“I have also watched several MC Alger matches and analysed them. Khaled Ben Yahia did a great job, especially defensively. There is a lot of work ahead to make our attack more efficient. We currently have three foreign players, and we still have the right to sign a fourth,” he concluded.