Rulani Mokwena reacts to first official MC Alger match | OneFootball

Interview

Mokwena opens up on first official MCA game

Photo: Rulani Mokwena

Rulani Mokwena has reacted to his first official match in charge of the back-to-back Algerian champions MC Alger, having taken over the reins from Tunisian mentor Khaled Ben Yahia in July.

Fresh from a tumultuous spell with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club, the South African tactician has been tasked with lifting the CAF Champions League and retaining the league title, along with lifting domestic cup competitions.

Mokwena saw his troops play out to a goalless draw in the Algiers derby against city rivals USM Alger in their season opener on Sunday. The defending champions are currently in 10th place on the Algerian topflight standings.

On his first competitive match in the MCA dugout, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor says it’s premature to share thoughts on what he makes of his side. Additionally, the 38-year-old gaffer is adamant player unavailability and injuries disrupted his team’s pre-season preparations.

“It’s difficult to say what my first impressions are after only one game. The first match of every championship is very difficult, and our preparation has also been very difficult because we had [Soufiane] Bayazid, [Mohamed Reda] Halaimia, [Ayoub] Ghezala with the national team, so their induction into the squad has been difficult,” said Mokwena.

“But also, the injuries that we’ve had with Tayeb [Meziani], very difficult. So, we haven’t had the best of the pre-seasons, but there’s a lot of things that I like from the team today [Sunday] – the spirit, the character and the mentality.

“But today [Sunday] maybe the one person who I’m not happy with is myself. I think I should have helped the team a little bit more and I don’t think I helped the team enough today. But I think once we know the league better, we will also make sure that we help the team more.

Mokwena will be determined to get off the mark and register his first win in the Algerian Ligue 1 when his team tackles newly promoted Ben Aknoun on Thursday, 04 September.