Rulani Mokwena’s First Match with MC Alger Ends in Chaos as Police Halt Friendly
Rulani Mokwena’s debut on the touchline as head coach of Algerian giants MC Alger ended in unexpected drama after his team’s pre-season friendly against Tunisian side Olympique Béja was abruptly cut short due to police interference.
The friendly match, held in Tunisia at the Ain Drahm compound, was intended to be a key part of both clubs’ preparations for the upcoming season. However, what was meant to be a routine fixture descended into confusion during the second half.
According to reports from Echorouk Online, local police blocked Olympique Béja supporters from entering the stadium, sparking tensions that ultimately led to the match being called off. With fans of the Tunisian club denied entry, Olympique Béja refused to continue the game, despite the insistence of MC Alger to carry on.
In an official statement, MC Alger confirmed the circumstances surrounding the cancellation. “The first friendly match of the MC in Tunisia stops in the second half, after the Bagian Olympian refused to continue playing the match, because the organizers refused to let Olympic supporters enter,” the club explained. “This led to the Tunisian team withdrawing despite the insistence of the Algerian MC to continue the meeting.”
The match ended 0-0 but was officially declared incomplete, casting a frustrating shadow over Mokwena’s first outing with the Algerian outfit. The South African coach, who joined MC Alger after a successful stint with Mamelodi Sundowns, had been hoping to use the game as an early opportunity to assess his squad and implement his tactical ideas.
Despite the abrupt end to the match, Mokwena is expected to press ahead with his preparations for the new campaign. MC Alger will be hoping to reschedule further friendlies as they aim to build momentum ahead of a season where expectations are high under their new coach.
With Mokwena at the helm and a strong squad at his disposal, MC Alger’s preseason may have gotten off to a bumpy start, but the focus now turns to regaining stability and ensuring the team is ready for competitive action.
