‘'I'm a Better Coach Here' - Ex-Wydad AC, Sundows Coach Rulani Mokwena on Decision to Join MC Alger

Former Sundowns and Wydad AC coach Rulani Mokwena has opened up about his move to Mouloudia Club of Algiers (MC Algiers), describing his experience in Algeria as a significant challenge and opportunity for growth.

Mokwena joined MC Algiers in the off season following his departure from Wydad Casablanca, a side he spent the 2024/2025 season with following his stint at Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.

Speaking on the African Five Aside podcast, Mokwena shared his positive impressions of Algeria and the football culture. “The country is great... The people are warm, we've been well received, and the level of football in the country is exceptionally high,” he said.

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Mokwena revealed that his time in Algeria has been demanding but rewarding, especially tactically. “It’s been a good test, a great challenge tactically with different opponents and a lot of very similar playing styles and tactical challenges,” he explained.

Despite being fully committed to his coaching role, Mokwena admitted his day-to-day life is largely confined to club facilities. “I live in the club facilities... The president keeps trying to motivate me to find a place of my own where I can have a bit more space and be inducted into the lifestyle and society. But I find it so much easier because I’m at the office very early and leave very late. Walking from the pitch to my office is a couple of seconds, and from my office to my hotel bedroom is 30, 40 seconds.”

When asked about his non-football experiences, Mokwena praised the warmth of the people and the club president. “The president of the club is a great man. I think I've worked for very good people, and I’m very fortunate to work for a very good man, very invested and humble,” he said.

He recounted a gesture from the club president that left a strong impression: “He invited the previous coach,  Khaled Ben Yahia,  to Zeralda. I don’t know many presidents who would do this—honor a former coach who won the league title but missed the celebrations, pay for his travel and accommodation, and thank him privately for the league title.”

Regarding MC Algiers’ status on the continent, Mokwena acknowledged the club is often underrated outside Algeria but has great potential. “I agree with you... the people involved in the club are extremely humble and modest, and maybe that leads to this perception. But it’s a club with great potential.”

He highlighted the club’s infrastructure and backing: “Sonatrach, the biggest company in Africa, owns the club. The club has a state-of-the-art stadium constructed in the last two or three years and an incredible training complex.”

While MC Algiers has qualified for the CAF Champions League group stages five times in the past 10–15 years, Mokwena believes the club can achieve more: “For a club of this magnitude, it is not enough. We want to try to increase the status and respect that the club gets from an African and maybe even a global perspective. That’s going to take time and a lot of hard work.”

On football philosophy, Mokwena contrasted Sundowns’ clear attacking identity with the style at MC Algiers. He shared a defining moment that influenced his decision to come to Algeria: “When we played CRB with Sundowns, it was extremely hostile, but there was a time where we were so dominant that the fans actually adopted us and chanted ‘Ole Ole’ after every pass. I loved that. It showed there’s a very deep appreciation for good football in Algeria.”

He added, “In North Africa, what usually gets applause is tackles and hard running, but in Algeria there seems to be a deep appreciation for good football, and that has impressed me a lot.”

For Mokwena, coaching at MC Algiers has been a unique experience that is shaping his career. “It’s been a good challenge and a great test so far. I’m very invested and want us to be very successful.”