CAF Champions League: We know what are capable of – MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena

MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena has welcomed the challenge of the CAF Champions League group stage after being drawn against his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns, in what promises to be one of the headline fixtures of the campaign.

The draw for the 2025/26 Champions League group phase was conducted on Monday in Johannesburg, pairing Mokwena’s side in Group C with Sundowns, Sudanese heavyweights Al Hilal and DR Congo’s Saint-Éloi Lupopo – the side that knocked out Orlando Pirates in the previous round.

Mokwena has made an immediate impact since taking charge of MC Alger at the start of the season, leading the club to an impressive 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

His return to South Africa for the group stage adds a compelling sub-plot to the tournament, given his successful spell at Sundowns before parting ways with the Pretoria outfit.

Reacting to the draw, the 38-year-old acknowledged the pedigree of their group rivals but insisted MC Alger have the tools to compete strongly and reach the knockout stage.

“We know what we are capable of, but we also understand football heritage, that Al-Hilal have more heritage in the Champions League (compared to MC Alger) and that Mameloudi Sundowns have more heritage in CAF,” Mokwena told the media.

He highlighted the club’s support base, infrastructure and the experience within the squad as key ingredients for a successful campaign.

“But we also understand that we have all the conditions to make a very good run in the Champions League. We have an incredible stadium with an incredible fan base. We have incredible facilities and an incredible staff.

“We have a very hard-working and ambitious group that has a lot of experience from last season’s Champions League,” he added.

Mokwena added that MC Alger will remain grounded but ambitious.

“So, these conditions allow us to dream, to work very hard while staying extremely humble, and to make sure that we represent not just the club well, but the entire nation of Algeria.”

MC Alger will begin their group-stage campaign next month as they bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.