MC Alger news

The South African tactician had an ambition of having a successful debut campaign with the Algerian giants. However, one of his targets will not be achieved after the Algiers-based outfit was eliminated from the continental inter-club competition. After suffering the CAF setback, upon resumption of the domestic duty, Mokwena's club was handed another one.

The 53-year-old former Esperance tactician is seemingly getting it right at Masandawana after a heavy storm in the initial games. After just two outings in five days across all competitions, the Brazilians are in the CAF Champions League quarter-final and are now just three points behind the Buccaneers in the Premier Soccer League title race with a game in hand.

The Abafana Bes'thende boss believes the 22-year-old winger has the talent, drive and dedication to improvement for a major transfer overseas and dismissed links to the league's big clubs as mere speculation that won't influence the player or his club as they consider his future.

The defending Premier Soccer League champions are the only team from South Africa still in CAF inter-club competitions after Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch's elimination. The Brazilians hope to go all the way in the ongoing campaign of Africa's premier club competition after reaching the final in the previous edition, but fell to Pyramids from Egypt.

After a difficult week rocked by spying allegations against analyst Mario Masha for allegedly leaking tactical information to Rhulani Mokwena, Madsandawana rose to the occasion with a crucial victory over the Algerian side that kept their CAF Champions League campaign alive.

The South African tactician made an emotional return to the country to face his former side, a club that gave him a platform to become a top coach and a team he won a number of titles with. His mission to South Africa was a high-stakes encounter against Masandawana in search of at least a draw that was enough to send his team to the knockout phase. However, his former side was too strong for the Algerian outfit, who eventually crashed out of the continental competition.

The tension surrounding the much-anticipated clash escalated on match day, with further drama on the touchline. While the Tshwane giants progressed in their CAF Champions League campaign, both technical teams were involved in a heated confrontation that drew attention from officials.

The Portuguese coach went into Saturday’s match with mounting pressure, staring at the embarrassing possibility of failing to steer the Brazilians into the tournament’s knockout rounds. However, Madsandawana rose to the occasion with a crucial victory that kept their campaign alive. The result allowed their tactician to breathe a huge sigh of relief as the immediate threat to his position appeared to have eased.

It was a game of intense tension for both teams and their supporters, since neither could afford defeat in their bid to make the knockout phase. The Brazilians needed maximum points to make the last eight, while the People's Club could afford a draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium thanks to the recent results in Group C.

The battle for the number one spot continues to heat up, with the Soweto side holding the advantage while Masandawana juggle their CAF Champions League commitments. The man who once starred for the Bucs has shared insights into what sets this season apart for the Mayfair side, explaining why his former team could be strong contenders to clinch the PSL title.