The South African tactician explains why MC Alger feels disappointed after managing to get a point against Masandawana during their second group game at Ali La Pointe Stadium. The 38-year-old coach has explained which side between MC Alger and his former team deserved the win on Friday. The game gave Mokwena's team their first group point this season after an initial loss to Al Hilal.
While Sundowns dropped points for the first time at the group stage, MC Alger gained a point after an initial loss to Al Hilal. This was a crucial match for both Downs and Mokwena, as they met for the first time since parting ways over one year ago. Masandawana remain at the top of the table, but that could change depending on the result of the other group games.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions continued their continental journey on Friday, 28 November, travelling to Stade Ali Ammar Dit Ali La Ponite with the aim of extending their winning start in the CAF Champions League. The Brazilians had opened their group stage campaign in style last weekend, securing a 3-1 victory over Saint Eloi Lupopo at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
After a convincing win at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Masandawana are in North Africa looking for a second group win that will help them consolidate their position at the top of the table. This is not an ordinary game for Downs; it is an emotional one, given that they will face their former coach, Rhulani Mokwena. For Mokwena, this is an even more important game because he will need to win after losing their group opening match.
The 38-year-old is set for an emotional CAF Inter-Club outing on Friday against Masandawana, aware that a win will be vital in his bid to win the elusive trophy. However, the South African tactician will have to face the Premier Soccer League outfits without several key players who have been delivering for the club.
Following their victory in the initial Group D CAF Champions League assignment against the Democratic Republic of Congo's Saint Eloi Lupopo, Masandawana want to make it two wins in a row away to Algeria against the People's Club on Friday. The Algerian outfit are aiming at bouncing back from their opening defeat in the pool to avoid possible elimination.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are away against the People's Club, hoping to get another Group D win to boost their chances of making the quarter-final phase of the CAF Champions League. However, it will not be an easy outing, because the Algerian Ligue 1 outfit lost their initial fixture against Al Hilal and will be aiming to make amends.
The 38-year-old coach gained valuable experience after being at the helm of both the Buccaneers and Masandawana in high-pressure environments. He now finds himself in another demanding role at MC Alger, where expectations remain just as high and intense. This comes after a season at Wydad Casablanca, where he further sharpened his tactical prowess.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was full of praise for the current state of South Africa’s displays on the bigger stages. Bafana Bafana recently reaped the rewards of their hard work by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will next month take the stage at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Amajimbos bowed out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup earlier this month, and the senior women’s national team is busy preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON].
The Tshwane giants travel to Algeria, where they will battle it out at the Ali La Pointe Stadium on Friday evening against their former coach Rhulani Mokwena, whose side is wounded after a disappointing start to the CAF Champions League group stage. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns supporters remain divided — some still yearning for Mokwena’s return due to dissatisfaction with current coach Miguel Cardoso, while others hope this clash will prove that the former Orlando Pirates mentor was not necessarily the ideal candidate either.
However, once the whistle blows, all off-field debates fall aside, as both teams will be equally tested in their pursuit of crucial group-stage points.
Ever since he went to North Africa, starting with a stint at Wydad Casablanca and now in Algeria, the youthful coach has never met his former employers, Masandawana. The only time he came up against the Brazilians was when he was at Orlando Pirates as an assistant after leaving the Tshwane giants. Now a battle looms between Rhulani Mokwena and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The forward struggled while in Germany but has found his footing since he made the unexpected move after several stints abroad. He is not only a regular starter under Miguel Cardoso but also plays a critical role as a creative brain in the club's attacking adventures. Now, he has been tipped as the next big thing for Bafana Bafana, given the progress he has made.
Masandawana attacking midfielder Nuno Santos shared his reasons for joining the lethal Sundowns squad in the Premier Soccer League, following their three–one triumph over FC Saint Eloi Lupopo — the same side that knocked out the mighty Orlando Pirates — in Saturday’s CAF Champions League group-stage clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The midfielder made a powerful statement, netting two goals and providing an assist for the Tshwane giants while donning the famous No. 10 jersey, with the third goal finished off by Marcelo Allende.
With the playmaker experiencing limited playtime for the Glamour Boys, debate on whether he should be released or his contract extended has been intensifying. With Chiefs engaging in the CAF Confederation campaign this season, one would think Sirino's presence will give the Soweto giants a competitive edge in terms of experience. But with stiff competition for starting slots in the club, it could be hard for the former Mamelodi Sundowns star to be guaranteed regular minutes.
Masandawana have been termed as one of the biggest teams in Africa, and their rivals have been told to be aware of how dangerous they are. Saint-Eloi Lupopo are one of the recent victims to suffer at the hands of the Pretoria heavyweights. After the 3-1 win against the DR Congo outfit, the Brazilians have been compared to European clubs.
The Masandawana tactician has revealed how he is viewing their Champions League second Group C game. The coach has also said that the Brazilians are planning to beat Mokwena's side when they meet on Friday for yet another crucial game. While the Tshwane giants will be determined to win and consolidate their position at the top of the table, MC Alger will be desperate to register their victory.
The DR Congo international drew significant attention in October after his dramatic showing at Orlando Pirates’ stadium. His display even caught the interest of Kaizer Chiefs players Bruce Bvuma and George Matlou, who video-called him in a light-hearted jab at their Soweto rivals. Adding to that, popular Amakhosi supporter Papa Wawa presented the defender with a special gift upon his return to South Africa last week. That has all heightened the buzz around the player’s growing profile.
The South African tactician is set for an emotional reunion with a club he won multiple titles with while he was in charge of the Premier Soccer League giants. Mokwena's MC Alger and Sundowns will clash in the group stage, and each will aggressively fight for the crucial points. Meanwhile, Modiba says even though there is respect between them and their former mentor, that will not deter them from going for a win against MC Alger.
Masandawana were relatively quiet in the last transfer window, opting for minimal activity in the market. Of the four signings they made, the arrival of two Portuguese midfielders has generated the most anticipation and scrutiny. Both are expected to deliver at a higher level than their former Brazilian star who departed for Spain.
Masandawana managed to outclass their first group stage opponents by securing a win in an end-to-end encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. Considered a group of death, Downs have collected their first three points after dispatching the Sea Robbers' tormentors. The home win is a morale boost for the Tshwane giants, who will face their former head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, in their next continental game.
The 38-year-old tactician did not have a good start to the CAF Inter-Club Group D assignment after falling against a Sudanese outfit on Friday. It was a massive blow to the former Masandawana coach, who is desperate to win the prestigious continental annual club competition after reaching the quarter-final and semi-final in the initial editions with the South African heavyweights.
The Algerian champions began their group campaign on a sour note after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Sudanese giants at Al Hilal's temporary home ground, Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday. It was a disappointing outing in which they struggled to impose themselves despite some periods of promise. For The Doyen’s South African coach, it was a forgettable game as his side could not make use of their numerical advantage late in the match.
The 38-year-old is enjoying a good run with the Algerian top-tier outfit, The People's Club, hoping to deliver domestically and abroad. His exploits are a strong response to those who doubted his ability to coach outside South Africa, underlining the massive potential to be among the best on the continent.
The duo has already worked together in South Africa's Premier Soccer League and Morocco's Botola Pro League, and the 38-year-old tactician wanted to have him in Algeria. Nyoso has been a hit for his current club, underlining why his former Masandawana coach rates him highly despite his advancing age.
The 38-year-old has jumped to Nyoso's defence, hinting he deserves to be part of the squad that will play Chipolopolo in the next couple of days. However, the MC Alger tactician is convinced the Wydad Athletic Club attacker can make the national team in the future if he continues with his exploits for the Botola Pro League outfit.
South Africa is entering a Golden Era as they prepare to participate in the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup after a long barren spell of failures and disappointments. With Banyana Banyana and Amajita winning silverware, and Amajimbos showing promise and the PSL title race tightening up, it's easy to get excited about local soccer right now.
MC Alger
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
