Rulani Mokwena to Al Ittihad: ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’

South African coach Rulani Mokwena has outlined his vision and objectives for Libyan Premier League side Al Ittihad SC while also calling for patience, saying Rome was not built in a day.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns man unpacked his plans for the seven-time Libyan Premier League champions on Thursday when he addressed the press for the first time since picking the job with the North African club two weeks ago.

 

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The South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) champion said his primary target remains winning the Libyan Premier League although it would be difficult. Over and beyond that, he wants to build a solid foundation for the Libyan side.

Mokwena picked a job with the Libyan giants after parting ways with Mouloudia Club d’Alger (MC Alger) in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1. The 39-year-old walked out on the Algerian side after CAF Champions League exit was followed by indifferent results in the domestic league.

Pan African Football followed the press conference and shares the excerpts:

On the analogy of Al Ittihad SC and Rome

If there is a country that understands Italian culture and its expressions, then it is Libya… Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it is an expression we want to use. This is a big football club.

We need to invest in countless hours and effort. In big clubs, you need to win with immediate pressure, but we want to invest in something longer than that. While we make promises, we also understand that we need time and this is what want to try to do.

On losing 2-1 to Al-Hushi and beating Wydad AC

“We played two matches with different teams, so the mentality was set from the first game. We played reasonably well and gave especially the first 20 minutes each player in the camp 45 minutes on the pitch to try and get much information…

Even though we lost the first game, the information we got about each player was very useful. We had training sessions in between… now we are like tailors, we are trying to tighten up a few buttons and cut a few of the sleeves because we don’t have time to make a completely a new suit. The groom is already walking to the altar in two months. We must make sure he is looking good.

Mokwena assesses Al Ittihad SC players’ fitness levels and quality

Physically, the players are in a good level. Of course, they can be in a better level. If you understand the culture and society, then you understand the physical implications of Ramadan. Research show that during this period, players lose 10 to 20 percent of their base fitness levels, but we are happy with the response of the players.

It is not only just the physical and technical aspects. It is good to see the players react to the social environment—how they treat the staff, hostesses and waitresses. These are also the small things that we look at. Thank you to the club for supporting us.

In relation to the players, there is great quality that has been recruited…Our work now is to get them to believe in themselves and to believe that they would not be playing for Al Ittihad if they did not have the capacity. To understand that they are part of an incredible club and an incredible project.

What about Al Ittihad SC facilities?

“From first impressions, it is incredible. What many people see is the perception outside. What I have found out is incredibly very good. The club shows good ambition not only in infrastructure but also the quality of the players they have recruited.

It is good to see that the club is investing in infrastructure. I can tell you that the training facility I have seen. In all the clubs I have been to, this is the best training pitch.

On leaving MC Alger

We understand the importance of this assignment and the timing is the greatest demonstration of our commitment to the club. We could have stayed in Algeria, finished the season with only three games remaining and lifted the title [with MC Alger], but we understand the sacrifices we had to make. From that perspective, my actions already demonstrate.”

What are targets for the season

“We will try to win the league title—you can’t run away from this. I am used to pressure…but I am also honest with myself. I know it is going to be difficult. It is not impossible, but it is going to be difficult.

We have won titles in three of the last four clubs, but Rome was not built in a few days. We want to build something strong for the future, so you need medium-term, long-term strategies and action plans.

We have been here for two weeks, but the work we have done feels like we started the season with the group. We also want to give this optimism and energy to the fans.”