No Chance for Chiefs” - Rulani Mokwena Firmly Denies Kaizer Chiefs Coaching Link

South African football coach Rulani Mokwena has publicly dismissed recent rumours linking him with the head coach job at Kaizer Chiefs, making it clear he has no intention of returning to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) with the Soweto giants.

The 39-year-old, currently the head coach of Algerian club MC Alger, spoke out amid growing speculation about his future after Kaizer Chiefs parted ways with former boss Nasreddine Nabi. Chiefs have been searching for a new coach after a disappointing season, and rumours circulated that Mokwena was among the top candidates.

When asked directly about a possible move back to South Africa, Mokwena responded firmly: “No, no, no.” He stressed that he’s very happy in Algeria and focused on his current project, where he has guided MC Alger to the top of the Algerian Ligue 1 standings.

Mokwena also clarified that the only discussions taking place involve extending his contract with MC Alger, not moving to Kaizer Chiefs. His clear rejection comes amid intense media and fan speculation in South Africa about his next career move.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach rose to prominence in South African football at a young age, winning multiple league titles before being dismissed by Sundowns in 2024. He then had a brief stint with Wydad Casablanca in Morocco before joining MC Alger. His success abroad and strong reputation at home made him a favoured name whenever top PSL jobs — such as Chiefs or Orlando Pirates — became available.

Chiefs supporters and media will now turn their attention to other candidates as the club continues its coaching hunt. With Mokwena publicly ruling himself out, Chiefs must look elsewhere to rebuild and qualify for major honours after a lacklustre season.

Rulani Mokwena’s rejection of the Chiefs link marks a decisive end to speculation and highlights his commitment to his current coaching journey in North Africa.