Rulani Mokwena Finally Addresses Arrest Rumours After Leaving MC Alger

South African coach Rulani Mokwena has addressed reports that he was arrested in Algeria shortly after leaving MC Alger.

Rulani Mokwena's nine-month tenure with the Algerian club, which included a cup victory and leaving the team at the top of the league standings, officially ended on Saturday.

However, as he was travelling to Libya to join his new club, Al Ittihad, reports surfaced on Monday alleging his arrest at the airport for carrying an amount of cash that exceeded the country's legal limit.

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The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach has since refuted these claims, stating that he was never arrested or imprisoned.

"Sensationalism. We live in this world, isn't it? We live in a world where it's what sells, it's what makes people extremely interested in general affairs and public affairs," Mokwena told 947's MSW, as quoted by Kick Off.

"It doesn't bother me because I think this is the world we live in now. Society, driven by social media and public interest, has shifted. What used to be the primary focus has, most of the time, been pushed to the periphery."

Rulani Mokwena then provided a detailed account of the events that transpired at the airport as he and his technical team were leaving Algeria.

"We were on our way to Istanbul, and it was myself and three other staff members. I felt a little bit guilty that I was the only one booked into business class, and we then got to the airport and went to the airline," he explained. "We were told we could upgrade the seats for the staff at the counter."

He continued, "We got to the counter and were told we could only pay cash. We then tried to get some cash to pay and upgrade the seats, and after that, we were told we had to do it online. We tried to do it online, but it was rejected because it had shut down or the time had lapsed, whatever the reason may have been, and then we were still stuck with the cash."

The coach, who also previously managed Wydad AC, questioned the logic behind the allegations. "There were four of us, and there was no one else we could hand over the amount to, and that was the scenario," he said. "But I don't know how you can steal your salary or money that you have worked very hard for nine months."

Following the incident, Rulani Mokwena has been officially unveiled as the new head coach of Libyan side Al Ittihad, where he will link up with his former player, Thembinkosi Lorch.