MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena hails team’s CAF Champions League progress

MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena has expressed pride in his team’s accomplishment after guiding The Greens and Reds into the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Mokwena’s side advanced past Cameroonian club Colombe Sportive following a 1-1 draw in Cameroon and a goalless stalemate in Algiers, progressing on the away-goal rule.

The result extended Mokwena’s unbeaten run since taking charge, with five wins and four draws from nine matches across all competitions.

The second-leg encounter at Ali La Pointe Stadium was played behind closed doors due to a CAF sanction stemming from incidents involving supporters during last season’s match against Orlando Pirates.

Speaking to the media, Mokwena praised his players for their resilience and highlighted his vision for the club.

“We played against the Champions of Liberia and the Champions of Cameroon without the support of our fans at the stadium. That makes this achievement even bigger for the club,” he said.

He also acknowledged the collective effort behind the success.

“Congratulations to the players, the president, the staff, and especially our medical team, who work tirelessly. This is a team achievement,” Mokwena added.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician emphasised the role of a coach within a club setup.

“As coaches, we are often the least important people in football clubs. Our job is to help the club achieve its objectives, which are very important to the president and the fans. It’s never an individual process, it’s something the entire club strives to achieve together,” he explained.