Orlando Pirates blow? Egyptian club sets sights on Rulani Mokwena

Rulani Mokwena could soon land another job in North Africa following reports that an Egyptian club is interested in his services.

Mokwena left Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club this month after his contract was terminated over inconsistent results and he is now free to take up a job elsewhere.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach has been reported as one of the candidates for the Orlando Pirates job following Jose Riveiro’s departure with his mentor Pitso Mosimane also another possible name.

Zamalek bosses divided over Rulani

However, reports in Egypt claim that Mokwena is among candidates that have been shortlisted for the Zamalek job as the club looks at possible coaches to hand the reigns.

As per journalist Amir Hisham, the Zamalek bosses are still divided over Mokwena as some view him as the right man while others feel his spell in Morocco suggests he will equally struggle in Egypt.

“Zamalek negotiated with Mokwena, and some within the club are convinced that the coach is a ‘good project’ for the team, including a prominent member of the planning committee, while others believe that the coach failed with Wydad Casablanca, and Zamalek is not a ‘test bed’,” said Hisham as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

Will Mokwena and Riveiro face off?

“Mokwena succeeded with Sundowns, but he failed with Wydad Casablanca, and things are divided at Zamalek, because ‘there is more than one captain in a boat,’ as they say, and there is a conflict at work, with each official going in a different direction.”

That puts Mokwena at crossroads as he will need to wait until the Zamalek hierarchy decide before learning his fate.

If he lands the job, he will begin a second rivalry with Riveiro who is reported to be close to being unveiled by Zamalek’s bitter rivals Al Ahly as their next coach following Marcel Koller’s departure.