Al Ittihad intensify negotiation to appoint Rulani Mokwena as head coach

North African club Al Ittihad SC has indicated that it has reached an agreement with South African coach Rulani Mokwena, though final confirmation is pending the outcome of his current contract with MC Alger.

An Executive Director of the club, Abdelmajid Saleh, confirmed that discussions with Mokwena began shortly after the club and former coach Khaled Ben Yahia parted ways by mutual consent.

Mokwena, 39, remains at the helm of MC Alger, who currently lead the Algerian Ligue 1 by a single point and hold four games in hand. Recent results, however, have been mixed.

The club was eliminated at the group stage of the CAF Champions League and suffered an Algerian Cup exit at the hands of CR Belouizdad on Tuesday, sparking some discontent among supporters.

Despite these setbacks, Saleh suggested Mokwena’s next move could be with Al Ittihad.

“Intensive negotiations have taken place over the past few days with coach Rulani Mokwena to sign him, and all details have been agreed with him, but so far the agreement with the South African coach has not yet been made official.

“Coach Mokwena has a valid contract with his Algerian club, and there is a penalty clause for terminating the agreement between the two parties.

He added that Mokwena’s current contract with MC Alger includes a penalty clause for early termination and that the club is mindful of its longstanding relationships with Algerian teams.

“We also have historical relations with Algerian clubs, and we must see what happens between MC Alger and the South African coach.”