When the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League group stage draw took place on November 3, 2025, few anticipated a storyline this rich. Rulani Mlungisi Mokwena, the 38-year-old South African coach now leading MC Alger, was handed a match-up that feels ripped from a sports drama: his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns FC. The reunion isn’t just symbolic—it’s personal, painful, and loaded with history. Mokwena helped build Sundowns’ 2016 continental triumph as assistant to Pitso Mosimane. Then, in 2024, despite winning the South African Premiership and nearly going unbeaten, he was fired without ceremony. Now, he’s back on the continent’s biggest stage—with the very team that let him go.
A Coaching Reunion Built on Betrayal
Mokwena’s exit from Sundowns in late 2024 sent shockwaves through South African football. Flashscore.com reported he was dismissed "despite winning the championship in 2024 and almost finishing the league season unbeaten." That’s not just harsh—it’s unusual. Clubs rarely fire coaches after a title win, especially when the team’s form was dominant. The details are still unclear, but whispers suggest internal power struggles and a shift in philosophy under new management. Mokwena didn’t fade away. He landed in Algeria, joining MC Alger in July 2025, according to Wikipedia, though Flashscore.com cites August. Either way, his arrival was framed as a statement: the Algerian giants were serious about reclaiming their legacy.Group C: A Continental Crucible
The draw placed MC Alger in Group C with three formidable opponents. Alongside Sundowns are St Eloi Lupopo from Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Al Hilal Club of Omdurman from Sudan. The latter’s situation adds another layer of tension: due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, Al Hilal has been forced to relocate its home matches to Rwanda, where they’ve been granted temporary league status. That’s not just logistical—it’s heartbreaking. These are men playing for pride, not just points. For Mokwena, the trip to Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria will be emotional. He coached there. He celebrated there. He was also, in many ways, discarded there. The return fixture at Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers will be his chance to prove he’s not just a survivor—he’s a builder. MC Alger hasn’t won the CAF Champions League since 1976. They’re desperate. And Mokwena? He’s the man they believe can change that.A Footballing Legacy
Mokwena didn’t rise from nowhere. He’s the son of Julias Sono Hloae, a former Orlando Pirates F.C. player, and nephew to Jomo Sono—the legendary founder of Jomo Cosmos and the architect of the Soweto Derby. That pedigree matters. He cut his teeth in youth systems, served as interim manager of Orlando Pirates in 2019, then took over Chippa United in 2020. After Sundowns, he worked under Milutin Sredojević before landing at Wydad AC in Morocco, where he reportedly won multiple titles and refined his attacking style. The League of Africa called his move to MC Alger "a key move in his flourishing coaching career." That’s not just PR. It’s recognition. He’s one of the few South African coaches to successfully transition into North African football. And now, he’s about to face the club that let him go—with a team that believes he’s their savior.
What’s at Stake?
Sundowns, the reigning South African champions, are favorites. They’ve won the CAF Champions League twice in the last decade. But Mokwena knows their weaknesses—their reliance on set pieces, their vulnerability to high pressing. He helped design their system. He knows how to break it. For MC Alger, this isn’t just about one game. It’s about reestablishing themselves as African giants. They’ve struggled in continental competitions since the 1990s. Mokwena’s arrival was meant to signal a new era. This draw? It’s a test. A public one. And for fans? It’s a rare gift: a story where emotion, history, and sport collide. A former assistant, now head coach, returning to the club that fired him—with the chance to humiliate them on their own turf.What’s Next?
Match dates haven’t been announced yet, but fixtures are expected to begin in early 2026. The first leg in Pretoria will likely draw massive attention. Will Mokwena be greeted with applause or boos? Will Sundowns’ players look him in the eye? The media will be relentless. The pressure? Immense. Meanwhile, Al Hilal’s relocation to Rwanda underscores how conflict continues to reshape African football. And St Eloi Lupopo—fresh off eliminating Orlando Pirates on penalties—aren’t just fillers. They’re hungry. This group isn’t just competitive. It’s cinematic.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Rulani Mokwena sacked by Mamelodi Sundowns despite winning the league?
Though exact reasons remain unconfirmed, multiple reports suggest internal friction with club management after the 2024 season. Sundowns reportedly shifted toward a younger coaching philosophy, and Mokwena’s departure came despite winning the league and nearly completing an unbeaten campaign. His firing was widely seen as abrupt and controversial, especially given his role in their 2016 CAF Champions League triumph.
How significant is this matchup for African football?
This is one of the most emotionally charged group stage encounters in recent CAF Champions League history. Few coaches have faced former clubs with such deep ties and recent history of success. The narrative—fired after winning, then returning with a rival—adds layers rarely seen in continental football, drawing attention beyond just the two clubs involved.
What’s MC Alger’s history in the CAF Champions League?
MC Alger last won the CAF Champions League in 1976, and their last semifinal appearance was in 1990. Since then, they’ve struggled to advance past the group stage. Their 2025-2026 campaign, under Mokwena, represents their best chance in decades to return to continental prominence, making this draw both a challenge and an opportunity.
Why is Al Hilal playing in Rwanda?
Due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan since April 2023, Al Hilal’s home stadium in Omdurman is unsafe and inaccessible. The Sudanese Football Association has temporarily relocated the club’s home matches to Rwanda, where they’ve been granted permission to play in the local league. This is a rare but growing trend in African football, where conflict forces teams to find neutral venues.
Is this Mokwena’s first time coaching outside South Africa?
No. Before joining MC Alger, Mokwena spent time with Wydad AC in Morocco, where he reportedly won multiple domestic titles and helped modernize their attacking play. His experience in North Africa made him an attractive candidate for MC Alger, who were seeking a coach with proven continental experience beyond the South African league.
How does Mokwena’s family background influence his career?
Mokwena is the son of Julias Sono Hloae, a former Orlando Pirates player, and nephew of Jomo Sono—the legendary founder of Jomo Cosmos and the Soweto Derby. Growing up in this footballing dynasty exposed him to high-pressure environments early. His family’s legacy gave him access to networks and mentorship few coaches have, helping him rise from youth systems to continental stages.