The South African Embassy has confirmed efforts to support coach Rulani Mokwena after he was detained in Algiers on Monday.
According to SABC News, Mokwena was stopped by customs officials at Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers. It is alleged that he was attempting to depart Algeria with undeclared foreign currency.
RULANI MOKWENA MOVING TO LIBYA
Last weekend saw the 39-year-old dramatically step down from his role as head coach of Algerian giants MC Alger. The Soweto-born coach is on his way to join Libyan powerhouse Al Ittihad SC.
Rulani Mokwena’s new deal with Al Ittihad makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in Africa. The same club recently signed Mokwena’s former player and compatriot Thembinkosi Lorch from Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
It has also been reported that Rulani Mokwena will be joined by a couple of South African technical assistants, including Themba Badela, with whom he worked at Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad in Morocco.
WHO ARE AL ITTIHAD?
The former Orlando Pirates coach’s new side leads the Libyan Premier League following nine victories and a draw in a 10-match unbeaten run.
The club surprisingly parted ways with coach Khaled Ben Yahia ahead of Rulani Mokwena’s arrival.
Al Ittihad remain the most powerful football club in Libyan football with a record 18 Libyan Premier League titles. Founded in 1944, the club dominated the domestic scene throughout the 2000s, at one point winning six consecutive championships between 2005 and 2010.
Their trophy cabinet also includes 7 Libyan Cups and 11 Libyan Super Cups. On the continental stage, they have been a frequent competitor in CAF tournaments, famously reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League in 2007 and the CAF Confederation Cup in 2010.
The club is expected to officially unveil Rulani Mokwena as their new head coach once he is freed from Algeria.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF RULANI MOKWENA’S MOVE TO THE LIBYAN GIANTS?
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