Quick Read
- Rhulani Mokwena has appointed Sinethemba Badela as an assistant coach at Al-Ittihad to oversee the transition of youth players to the senior team.
- The appointment follows Badela’s abrupt exit from Durban City, where he served for only three matches.
- Mokwena is prioritizing the integration of local academy talent to support his long-term goal of securing a CAF Champions League title.
TRIPOLI (Azat TV) – South African coach Rhulani Mokwena has officially expanded his technical team at Libyan powerhouse Al-Ittihad by recruiting Sinethemba Badela, a move aimed at accelerating the integration of local youth talent into the senior squad. The appointment follows a turbulent period for Badela, who recently left his role at Durban City after a controversial three-game tenure marked by reported friction with technical leadership.
Strategic Integration at Al-Ittihad
Mokwena clarified that Badela’s role extends beyond traditional assistant coaching duties. As the club aims to elevate its performance in the CAF Champions League, the new staff addition is tasked with managing the transition of academy prospects into professional play. Mokwena noted that the technical team is currently assessing the U19 setup to ensure a sustainable pipeline of Libyan players reaches the first team.
The Professional Connection
The collaboration between the two tacticians is rooted in shared professional history, including their time together with Wydad AC in Morocco. Mokwena emphasized that the structure at Al-Ittihad requires staff to manage dual responsibilities, with Badela specifically expected to bridge the gap between reserve-team development and the demands of top-tier competition. This move highlights Mokwena’s focus on long-term institutional stability as he seeks to secure his first continental title after previous attempts with other clubs.
Stakes for the Libyan Giants
For Al-Ittihad, the success of this technical reshuffle is critical. The club is under pressure to perform not only within the domestic league but also on the continental stage. By prioritizing the induction of younger players, the coaching staff is attempting to build a self-sustaining model that reduces reliance on external transfers while maintaining the high-intensity performance required by the club’s supporters.
The strategic recruitment of Badela underscores a deliberate shift in Mokwena’s approach to club management, prioritizing the alignment of youth development with senior-level performance objectives to mitigate the high pressure of continental competition.