Al Ittihad book Libyan Cup quarterfinals spot after win over Abu Salim

Rulani Mokwena could now win his first cup double since the 2023/24 season after getting off to a great start at Al Ittihad.

Mokwena guided Al Ittihad to the quarter-finals of the Libyan Cup after defeating Abu Salim 4–1 this past weekend, with compatriot Thembinkosi Lorch also getting on the scoresheet.

It was the South African tactician’s first official match in charge following a 10-day training camp in Morocco.

Mokwena has now boosted his prospects of winning a second trophy this term, a feat he last achieved in the 2023/24 season.

During that campaign, he guided his then team, Mamelodi Sundowns, to the 2023/24 African Football League and the Betway Premiership title.

Speaking after the match in a video posted by the club, assistant coach Wendell Robinson said: “I’m very happy with the game today.

“The performance, especially in the first half, was very, very good. To come away from home, difficult conditions, the pitch not the best.”

The retired shot-stopper turned coach said the team showed what they’re capable of and displayed the kind of football they can play, scoring some very goals. He added that the good thing is that they scored different types of goals.

“So we are very happy, very happy with the first half. The second half became a little bit more difficult. The opponents changed their shape. They went more direct, used a lot of wing play and caused us a lot of problems,” Robinson shared.

Speaking about their opponents, Robinson said they also loaded the box on set plays and that also caused Al Ittihad a lot of problems.

Abu Salim were able to score a goal from one of their corner kicks.

“It’s obviously an area of our game that we will have to work on but overall, very happy as the new technical team, to get this result away from home.”