South African coach Rulani Mokwena has resigned as head coach of Libyan club Al-Ittihad after just five months in charge, according to a source familiar with the situation, bringing an abrupt end to a spell that concluded without silverware.
The source told winwin that Mokwena submitted his resignation in recent hours without prior notice. Al-Ittihad’s board, led by Mohamed Ismail, has accepted his decision, with the coach now reportedly close to taking over at Egyptian side Pyramids FC.
The resignation follows a disappointing campaign in which Al-Ittihad failed to secure a trophy despite significant investment in the squad ahead of the season.
Unexpected End to Short Spell
Mokwena was appointed as Al-Ittihad’s technical director in March, replacing Tunisian coach Khaled Ben Yahia.
His arrival was intended to guide one of Libya’s most successful clubs back to domestic success. However, the 39-year-old was unable to deliver the results supporters had hoped for, with the team finishing the season without winning a title.
The abrupt nature of his departure has brought an early conclusion to a tenure that lasted only five months.
Expectations Remained High
According to the source, expectations at Al-Ittihad were elevated because of the club’s heavy spending before the campaign.
The club’s management reportedly invested more than $9 million in new signings in an effort to assemble a squad capable of competing for honours.
Despite those additions, the team did not produce performances or results that reflected the scale of that investment.
As a result, critics and football analysts in Libya directed much of the responsibility for the disappointing season towards Mokwena, arguing that the team’s displays failed to match the quality expected from the resources available.
Pyramids FC Move Reportedly Close
The same source said Mokwena is now on the verge of beginning a new chapter in Egypt.
According to the information provided, Pyramids FC has already reached an agreement with the South African coach on all contractual terms.
An official announcement confirming his appointment is expected within the coming hours.
If confirmed, Mokwena would take charge of a club preparing for an ambitious 2026-27 season, with Pyramids aiming to challenge for the Egyptian Premier League, the CAF Champions League and the Egypt Cup.
The expected appointment would represent a swift return to management following his departure from Libya.
Al-Ittihad Begin Coaching Search
With Mokwena’s resignation now accepted, Al-Ittihad have already started looking for his successor.
The source explained: “Al-Ittihad Libyan club has begun contacting people in the past few hours to find a new coach to replace South African Rulani Mokwena for the new season scheduled to start at the beginning of next October.”
The club will now seek a replacement capable of rebuilding confidence ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Disappointing Chapter for a Historic Club
Al-Ittihad remains Libya’s most decorated domestic club, having won 18 league titles.
Given that history, expectations surrounding the current season were particularly high, especially after the club strengthened its squad with a series of expensive signings.
However, despite the substantial financial backing and recruitment drive, the team was unable to translate those investments into consistent performances or silverware.
Mokwena’s spell in charge has therefore been described as one of the more disappointing periods in the club’s recent history, ending with an unexpected resignation before preparations for the new season could fully begin.
Attention now turns to both clubs involved. Al-Ittihad face the challenge of appointing a new head coach before the start of the campaign in October, while Pyramids appear poised to welcome Mokwena as they prepare for a season in which domestic and continental success will be among their primary objectives.
