Mokwena spent eight months in charge of Alger and leaves them top of the table with a five-point lead, as well as a massive four games in hand on second-placed CS Constantine.
"The management of MC Alger announces the departure of South African coach Rulani Mokwena from the club’s technical staff, after the activation of the clause ending his duties as head coach of the first team," Alger said in a statement.
"The contract included a provision requiring the coach to pay two months’ salary should he wish to leave. This decision came after a meeting between the coach and the club’s management, during which he expressed his conviction that his experience with the team had come to an end after a period of eight months."
His departure comes just 24 hours after Alger defeated Paradou AC 2-0 on Friday and follows interest in his services from Al Ittihad being made public by the Libyan club earlier this month.
“Intensive negotiations took place during the past few days with coach Rulani Mokwena to sign him, and agreement was reached with him on all details, but up to this moment the agreement with the South African has not taken on an official character,” Al Ittihad executive director Abdelmajid Saleh told WinWin.
“Coach Mokwena has a valid contract with his Algerian club, and there is a penalty clause to terminate the contract between the two parties. We have historic relations with clubs in Algeria, and we must see what happens between MC Alger and the South African coach.”
Al Ittihad are currently top of their group in the league phase of the Libyan championship with 10 wins and two draws, but the side failed to advance to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup this season
Mokwena has also coached South African giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, and had a spell in charge of top Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.
