Following Rulani Mokwena's move to MC Alger, reports from North Africa have revealed how difficult it was to complete the deal due to initial financial hurdles.
Mokwena was officially announced as the new head coach of MC Alger on Sunday night. The South African tactician replaces Tunisian mentor Khaled Ben Yahia, who left the club despite leading them to the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 title last season.
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The 38-year-old had been without a job since parting ways with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club, where, despite guiding the team to CAF Confederation Cup qualification, his tenure ended prematurely due to what the club cited as a failure to meet internal expectations.
According to Algerian publication Al Araby, negotiations between Mokwena's camp and Alger’s officials were tense, with several stumbling blocks threatening to collapse the deal.
One of the key issues was reportedly the coach’s salary demands. Mokwena reportedly requested a monthly pay of €75,000 (approximately R1.5 million), while the club was initially only prepared to offer €60,000 (approximately R1.2 million).
Ultimately, after prolonged discussions, both parties reached an agreement on an undisclosed figure that also included provisions for Mokwena’s technical team, according to the arabic outlet.
The deal is considered one of the most lucrative coaching contracts in Algerian football, underscoring the club’s growing ambitions. Mokwena arrives in Algeria with a strong track record, having enjoyed tremendous success with Mamelodi Sundowns.
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Under his leadership, the team dominated domestic competitions and made consistent deep runs in the CAF Champions League. Known for his tactical acumen and modern approach to the game, Mokwena helped shape Downs into one of the most formidable sides on the continent.
His appointment at MC Alger signals the club’s intent to elevate their performance not just locally, but on the continental stage as well.
