Pitso Mosimane Hesitates on North Africa Return After Rulani Mokwena Ordeal: 'I Don't Need Adventure'

Renowned South African coach Pitso Mosimane has pointed to the recent experiences of his compatriot Rulani Mokwena as a key factor in his hesitation to accept a coaching role in North Africa.

Pitso Mosimane, who has been unattached since parting ways with Iranian club Esteghlal FC in January 2025, is a familiar and highly respected figure in North African football following a successful two-year tenure with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly.

During his time in Cairo, he secured back-to-back CAF Champions League titles. However, he was ultimately dismissed after failing to win a third consecutive continental crown, falling to Wydad AC in the 2021/22 final.

Despite his proven track record in the region, Mosimane has expressed reservations about a potential return.

Speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW, he revealed that the treatment of Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena and former TS Galaxy manager Sead Ramovic has given him pause.

"There are always talks," Mosimane confirmed. "There were talks in Algeria, there are talks in Egypt, there are talks in Tunisia. Some are talking to us about the Libyan national team. But do I really want to go there? I don’t know."

The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician elaborated on his concerns, suggesting he is seeking stability over unpredictable challenges at this stage of his career.

"Sometimes if you look at what happened to Rulani [Mokwena] and the ex-coach of Galaxy (Sead Ramovic)... I’m 61, sometimes I don’t need adventure," Mosimane stated.

"Sometimes I just want proper things and the right stuff. There are also talks in the UAE, trust me, there are always talks."

Meanwhile, former MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena was reportedly detained at an Algiers airport over allegations of carrying undeclared foreign currency just hours after parting ways with the Algerian club.

According to reports from North African media, Mokwena was stopped by customs officials at Houari Boumediene Airport as he prepared to leave the country.

The incident occurred less than a day after his contract with MC Alger was mutually terminated, bringing his eight-month spell at the club to an end.

Algerian news outlet El Haddaf reported that the case has been transferred to the court in Dar El Beida, which handles legal matters related to the airport.

While the exact amount of undeclared cash has not been disclosed, Algeria maintains strict regulations on the cross-border movement of currency.

During his tenure, Rulani Mokwena guided MC Alger to an Algerian Super Cup title and kept the team at the top of the league standings for much of the season. However, his time was also marked by early exits from the Algerian Cup and the CAF Champions League.