Official: Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns boss appointed as head coach of Al-Ittihad Tripoli

Libyan Premier League side Al-Ittihad SC has confirmed the appointment of former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena as their new head coach.

The Tripoli-based club released an official image cover welcoming Mokwena, accompanied by a striking red-and-gold graphic featuring the coach’s portrait and a list of his career honours, including four South African league titles, the African Super Cup, and multiple domestic cups.

Mokwena joins Al-Ittihad after a brief but impactful stint at MC Alger, where he won the Algerian Super Cup and maintained the club at the top of the domestic league before mutually parting ways.

Reports indicate Al-Ittihad paid a buyout equivalent to four months of his previous salary to secure his release, paving the way for a long-term contract granting him full control over sporting operations and player recruitment.

Ambitious project for Al-Ittihad Tripoli

Sources close to the negotiations say Mokwena’s appointment aligns with Al-Ittihad’s drive to reclaim domestic dominance and enhance their performance in continental competitions.

He is expected to reunite with several players he has previously coached and may bring some of his Algerian assistants along.

Mokwena has steadily built a reputation as one of Africa’s top young coaches. He guided Mamelodi Sundowns to multiple Premier Soccer League titles and domestic cups, and his spells at Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club and MC Alger further cemented his status as a coach capable of succeeding across the continent.

Reactions and expectations for Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns boss

The news has been met with excitement on social media, with South African fans and journalists hailing the move as another milestone for local coaching talent. Some light-hearted commentary has even started calculating Mokwena’s reportedly lucrative new salary package.

He is expected to be officially unveiled in the coming days as Al-Ittihad gears up for the remainder of the Libyan league season and CAF competitions. The move positions Mokwena among the highest-paid club coaches in Africa.