MC Alger Close In On Mokwena Appointment

Algerian giants MC Alger are edging closer to the appointment of former Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena after the two parties had a positive round of talks, with optimism of reaching an agreement.

Following his horrid experience in Casablanca, the South African tactician attracted interest from a host of clubs across the continent, including recently crowned CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC, Zamalek SC, and Young Africans of Tanzania.

Mokwena is on record stating that he pulled out of the race for the Zamalek job when he learned that his mentor Pitso Mosimane is on the same shortlist, while talks with the African champions appear to have stalled as Yanga have concerns on whether a deal can be financially feasible.

However, in an unexpected twist of events, it’s the back-to-back Algerian Ligue 1 champions who have emerged as frontrunners to rope in the in-demand coach following the departure of Tunisian mentor Khaled Ben Yahia.

The Tunisian boss, who joined the Algiers-based outfit on a short-term deal in December 2024, guided the team to a league title and an Algerian Super Cup at the expense of Sead Ramovic’s and Khanyisa Mayo’s CR Belouizdad.

While Alger has regained supremacy in Algeria, the club’s hierarchy is understood to be determined to replicate the domestic form on the continental stage and has sounded out Mokwena as a perfect candidate to take the team to even greater heights.

The 1976 African champions are said to be in the final stages of their negotiations with the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns gaffer, who is expected to pen a long-term deal with the club to oversee the project to return the team to the summit of African football.

Sources have indicated that Mokwena is expected to touchdown in Algiers to sign his contract with the nine-time Algerian Ligue 1 champions. Furthermore, the 38-year-old technocrat will bring along five technical team members in his new project.