Mokwena determined to deliver what he failed with Sundowns

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Mokwena determined to deliver what he failed with Sundowns
Image - MC Alger

South African coach Rulani Mokwena has had a good start with MC Alger in the Algerian Ligue 1.

He has, not only managed to get the top spot on the table, the 38-year-old has led the People's Club to the group stage of the CAF Champions League. They have been pooled in Group C with last year and Mokwena's former club Mamelodi Sundowns, St Eloi Lupopo – who elimiated Orlando Pirates, and Al Hilal of Sudan.

Having managed to reach the semi-final on two occasions with Masandawana, Mokwena want's to help MC Alger do well. But first, his main objectove for last edition's quarter-finalists is to get out of the ‘tight' phase.

We want to do better than last season

“We are just grateful that we are there. The qualifiers are nothing but just qualifiers. The real Champions League starts in the group stages,” the Premier Soccer league-winning coach told the media.

“For us, it’s about trying to do better than last season. The club is very ambitious, the president is very ambitious, and that’s what we’ll try to do.

It’s going to be a tight group, but we are excited about the opportunity to compete and to try to do better than last season. That’s the main message.

“It’s a difficult group. I know I talk a lot about, of course and rightfully so, Sundowns and Al Hilal, because you guys know I’ve spoken about football heritage even while I was in SA, and that doesn’t change,” Mokwena added.

Will he finally win CAF Champions League

The tactician has further explained why winning the prestigious continental club competition needs time and strategy.

“You’ve got to be able to romanticise the Champions League for many years before it can eventually let you in,” Mokwena continued.

“Pyramids are a perfect example. In their fourth year in the group, they won the Champions League, but that came after years of strengthening the team and building consistency.

“Not a lot is spoken about Lupopo, but they beat Orlando Pirates convincingly in Congo. I watched that game, even the one in Orlando, and they will be a very difficult team. They are well coached physically and very aggressive in attack,” he concluded.

MC Alger play Al Hilal away on Friday before hosting the South African champions on November 28.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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