New Al-Ittihad coach Rulani Mokwena says his move to Libya wasn’t motivated by money but many other factors.
Mokwena parted ways with MC Alger last week for the move after an impressive eight-month stint in League 1.
The 39-year-old’s new side is in group 2 in the Libyan Premier League in first place with 32 points in 12 outings.
Mokwena told Robert Marawa on #MSWOn947 that he is not easily enticed by money and the project for him is about reviving Ittihad as one of the best on the continent, making an impact that goes beyond the field helping the political situation in the country, to give back to those that have always believed in him and to get better as a coach.
“Well, I was already paid a salary at Mouloudia [MC Alger],” said Mokwena.
“If anybody knows me and speaks to the people that know me, I worked in Wydad for eight, nine months without a salary. I am not moved by money believe me. There was a lot more on the table than just financial perks and people don’t even know.
“I see the numbers that I’m being branded about. Imagine, I just laugh and sometimes I say I wish that’s what they were offering but it’s far from it. And there’s a lot more from a sporting perspective.
“There’s a lot more from a possibility to do more, to stretch myself more, to test myself more, to challenge ourselves more, to work again with people who have made incredible sacrifices and contributions to me personally. And to also look to help those people also expand their careers and grow more.
“Maybe the question can be loyalty. But I know what being loyal to a football club not once, not twice but three times I know what the loyalty of a football club has gotten me. And sometimes you have to make decisions not from that perspective and history has taught me that.
“I was loyal to many football clubs in my career and there was no reward thereafter but in this moment I thought to extend a helping hand to a community in Libya, to help a football club that is trying to revive itself on the continent, for the country and what it would do politically in the country for people that love the club.
“We all know the political situation but we also know the power that football offers to people and to a country.”
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