Rulani Mokwena begins Pyramids FC journey with one career trend to change

The appointment of Rulani Mokwena as head coach of Pyramids FC represents another major opportunity in his growing managerial career, but it also highlights a pattern he will be eager to change.

The move to the Egyptian giants marks Mokwena’s fifth club in just two years since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2024 — a remarkable amount of movement for a coach still building his reputation.

While some of these opportunities have represented career progression, others have ended before expectations were fully met. For a manager hoping to establish himself among Africa’s elite coaches, long-term stability will be crucial.

A Rapidly Changing Managerial Journey

Mokwena has already taken charge of seven clubs in less than seven years, following the end of his brief spell with Orlando Pirates in December 2019.

His coaching journey began with a short one-match stint at Chippa United, before returning to Mamelodi Sundowns, initially as assistant coach under Pitso Mosimane.

He later became co-coach alongside Manqoba Mngqithi before eventually taking full control of one of Africa’s biggest clubs.

His time at Sundowns, from 2020 until 2024, was the longest and most successful period of his managerial career so far.

Challenges After Leaving Sundowns

After departing Sundowns, Mokwena was appointed manager of Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in July 2024.

However, his time in Morocco lasted less than a year, with the club ending his tenure in April 2025.

He then moved to MC Alger in Algeria, where he spent time from July 2025 until March 2026 before joining Libyan side Al-Ittihad for a short four-month spell.

Now, Mokwena has returned to work with Pyramids FC, one of the most ambitious clubs in African football and a genuine contender for the CAF Champions League.

Pyramids have already proven their strength on the continental stage, winning the competition two years ago after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.

Success Has Not Always Matched Expectations

The quality of clubs Mokwena has managed since leaving Sundowns shows his reputation remains strong.

However, the biggest concern is that he has not completed a full season with any of them.

Part of that can be explained by the demanding nature of football in North Africa, where coaching changes are frequent. But results and expectations have also played a role in some departures.

Despite managing several high-profile teams, Mokwena has collected only one major trophy outside Sundowns — the Algerian Super Cup with MC Alger.

To his credit, when he left MC Alger in March, the club were already 12 points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand and would eventually go on to win the championship. Had Mokwena remained in charge, he would likely have been celebrating a league title.

Mixed Results Across Africa

At Wydad Casablanca, Mokwena recorded 14 wins, 14 draws and seven defeats across 35 matches — a record that ultimately fell short of expectations for a club of that size.

His spell at MC Alger was much more impressive, with 20 victories, eight draws and six losses from 34 matches, giving him a win percentage close to 60% and putting the club on course for domestic success.

His short period at Al-Ittihad also produced positive results, with five wins, three draws and just one defeat. However, the team failed to reach the Libyan championship semi-finals, finishing third in their group.

Pyramids FC Provides Another Big Opportunity

Mokwena’s latest challenge at Pyramids FC gives him another chance to prove he can deliver success at the highest level.

The club showed patience with previous coach Krunoslav Jurčić, who rewarded that faith by guiding them to the CAF Champions League title.

However, expectations remain extremely high.

The Egyptian league remains one of Africa’s toughest competitions, with traditional giants such as Al Ahly and Zamalek providing fierce competition every season.

Mokwena will need to quickly establish his authority, but he has the tactical knowledge and coaching ability to succeed. He will also have a squad filled with technically gifted players capable of competing for major honours.

Time to Build a Legacy

At just 39 years old, Mokwena remains a young coach with plenty of time to develop his legacy.

His immediate goal will be simple: stability.

After several short spells across different clubs, he will hope to make Pyramids FC a long-term home and remain in charge beyond the 2026/27 season.

For a coach with his tactical reputation and ambition, the next chapter in Cairo could define the direction of his career.