Rulani Mokwena reflects on first setback at Al-Ittihad after draw with Ittihad Misrata

Al Ittihad head coach Rulani Mokwena has responded calmly after his side dropped points for the first time under his leadership, following a 1–1 draw with Ittihad Misrata in the Libyan Premier League.

The South African tactician had enjoyed a perfect start to his reign, winning his opening three matches — including a successful debut in the Libyan Cup that secured progression to the quarter-finals.

However, this week’s result ended that winning run.

Despite the setback, Mokwena insisted he was not overly disappointed, describing the match as a valuable learning experience for both himself and his technical team as they continue to assess the squad.

“We knew the game would be difficult against a good team,” he said in his post-match press conference, as shared by the club.

“They have some very good players. I’ve already seen a lot of players who have quality and experience, but in certain moments we made the game very difficult for ourselves.”

Mokwena, formerly of Mamelodi Sundowns, explained that such matches are crucial in building a deeper understanding of the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

“These are important matches for us because when we play against tougher opponents, we get a lot of information about our team and what we have to work on,” he added.

“Now we take the point and move forward.”

The result brings an early test of resilience for Mokwena’s Al Ittihad project, as he continues shaping the squad in the opening stages of his tenure.