South African coach Rulani Mokwena is living up to expectations in the Algerian league in charge of Mouloudia Club d’Alger.

Mokwena, 38, took over the reigning Ligue 1 champions in July on a two-year contract.

He had previously coached in North Africa, where he spent eight months with Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca – until May this year, following his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns.

In African Times’ previous reports, Mokwena had opened up on the lessons he picked up in Morocco.

“The Moroccan level is very demanding from a physicality perspective, and I think technically, the players are also at a very, very good level, particularly in dominating duels offensively and defensively, and playing under pressure,” said Mokwena three months ago.

“I think a lot of the situations that I had in my game model (in Morocco) were to build a little bit lower using a goalkeeper for an example, but in Morocco you only find that you’d probably have five, six, or seven passes between the centre backs and even engage the six. So you’ve wasted so much time, (the opposition) has recovered, and even the intensity and the energy, and then (the opponent) is able to minimise your possibilities to attack, and then you’ve got to find different ways.”

True to his word, the Soweto-born mentor has hit the ground running in Algeria.

MC Alger are top of the standings with 19 points from seven games despite having played three games less than second-placed Olympique Akbou and MC Oran, who occupy third spot on the log.

Mokwena’s team is unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions since his appointment.

They have won seven games and drawn four with him at the helm, and if anything, there are signs that he’d have a successful stay in Algeria, but their biggest test will be in the CAF Champions League.

MC Alger have been drawn in Group C alongside Mokwena’s former employers, Sundowns, Sudanese side Al Hilal and St Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo.