Rulani Mokwena has rebuffed question marks around MC Alger’s progress but emphasised that Rome also wasn’t built in one day.
Despite his side being the only team unbeaten in the Algerian Ligue 1, there have been question marks around the club’s progress from the media.
The defending Ligue 1 champions currently find themselves in third place on the log with 13 points – just two behind leaders Saoura and three games in hand.
On the weekend, they aim to secure their spot in the CAF Champions League group stages after collecting a 1-1 draw at Colombe FC this past weekend.
“You must know you will never irritate me and I like when you are honest and open to these remarks,” Mokwena replied when quizzed by one journalist after his side’s 2-1 over Paradou.
“I would be very worried if I saw the game like the people outside, I think it’s a good thing that we don’t see the same game because I can assure you I watch more football games, more training sessions than any of you sitting here.
“I watched all of last season’s games, I know the level of this team from last season already. I watched maybe five or six games of (Zinedine) Ferhat in France from last season, so I know what is Farats level.
“I also see in day one what we want to bring in this group and type of play that we want to incorporate and I must tell you as a coach I am very proud and also you must understand and important part of my job is that with you I will always protect my players.
“In the change room with the analysis I am extremely honest but I can tell you I see incredible improvement in each and every single one of them.
“Can they be better? Of course, they have to improve for sure. This is the principle not just for football but for life up until the day we die as human beings we have to improve if the player had no room for improvement I don’t think I would have a job.
“But Rome was not built in one day to improve this team, to improve these players it’s gonna take time but it’s important because me as a person I am a very positive person by nature – sometimes I look at positives more than the negatives and you have to respect that my opinion, I am very proud of the players and sometimes in football the most important opinion is the coach’s opinion.
“I am proud of Mousama and I can show you with the data it’s not just with the naked, eye I show you the physical date, passes, interception, the number of ball touches; I see Ferhat how he has a an influence around the box.
“So we’ve got a lot of work to do I am very clear with that but we also made incredible progress and that’s the most important thing.”
