Mokwena blasts MC Alger players in meeting: “I am not satisfied”

After MC Alger qualified for the CAF Champions League group stage in unconvincing fashion, head coach Rulani Mokwena has reportedly read the riot act to his players.

The South African boss demanded more of his team in training after MCA were held to a 0-0 second leg draw by Cameroonian champions Colombe Sportive, which was just enough for the Algerian club title holders to scrape into the group stage on the away goal rule with a 1-1 aggregate score. The achievement was publicly celebrated by the club in its social media pages (video above).

After returning to training ahead of Thursday’s Ligue 1 Professionnelle clash at USM Khenchela, however, Mokwena criticized himself but also indicated that he is not afraid to exclude players who do not give their all in comments reported by Competition.dz:

“I’ve been out of line lately, but so have you. Despite that, I defended you in front of the media because I believe in you. But I’m not satisfied.”

“From today onward, anyone who doesn’t give more, who doesn’t show they want to fight for this team, will remain outside the squad.”

While the underwhelming performance in the final qualifying stage of the CAF Champions League raised an alarm, it appears to be a proactive measure from the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad boss. MCA are well on course to seize top spot in Algeria’s Ligue 1 once the club catches up to the rest of the league in matches played, only trailing current leaders JS Saoura by two points with four less games played.

With the exception of a scoreless draw against rivals USM Alger to begin the league campaign, MCA have won all four Ligue 1 matches since then. However, this sort of performance is expected of the club popularly known as “The Boss”, who have won the last two titles.

Where Mokwena will be judged is the Champions League, which is why the close call against Colombe provoked a severe dressing down from the coach. MCA barely progressed past the group stage in Africa’s top continental competition last season before falling to Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals, failing to score in a 0-1 aggregate defeat.