The 47-year-old's tenure in North Africa has come to a premature and quiet end as The Reds have reportedly moved to sack the tactician. The Rockets' ex-coach had been under a cloud of uncertainty for several weeks before the club opted to upgrade his initial suspension to a full dismissal.
The South African coach has broken his silence on the shock decision to trade Algerian giants MC Alger for Libyan side Al Ittihad. The 39-year-old tactician, who leaves his former club at the top of the table, insists that his motivations were rooted in a long-term sporting project rather than a massive payday.
The Libyan giants had expressed their interest in the South African tactician, and finally, they have landed their man. The Premier Soccer League title winner has left the Algerian side mid-season following his appointment before the current campaign began. After leaving the Algiers-based outfit, with whom he won the Algerian Super Cup, he embraces a new challenge in Libya.
The 39-year-old found himself on the wrong side of the law a couple of days after parting ways with MC Alger, a team he had coached for eight months. He has been tipped to take over another top-tier outfit in Libya, with the announcement made late on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club tactician is in trouble with the Algerian authorities, a couple of days after leaving the People's Club. The Kaizer Chiefs-linked coach has been tipped to join South African attacker Thembinkosi Lorch, who is currently contracted to Libyan outfit Al-Ittihad.
The North African side have moved quickly to replace the South African tactician who quit over the weekend. And, in a twist of fate rarely seen in football, it looks like the two coaches are basically 'swapping' clubs.
The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach had been going through what appeared to be a difficult spell in Algeria. His time at the capital city club ends less than 24 hours after he guided them to a 2-0 league victory over Paradou AC that put them five points clear at the top of the Algerian Ligue 1 with several games in hand. The sudden exit adds another twist to what had already been a turbulent period for the tactician.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns trainer is enjoying a purple patch in Algeria, helping his team stay on course to win their league title. Their latest victory comes just after making progress in the CAF Champions League, where they have reached the group stage.
The South African's side was made to sweat by their second preliminary round continental rivals, who proved to be a very stubborn opponent. However, in the end, it is Mokwena's team that had the last laugh.
USM Khenchela
