Rhulani Mokwena, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has accomplished a lot in nearly his first full season leading the team alone.
This season, the COSAFA Men’s Coach of the Year has already claimed two championships, advanced to the CAF Champions League semifinals, and competed in two domestic Cup Finals. However, he expects the upcoming season to be very challenging for him. Midway through the previous season, Mokwena assumed sole charge as head coach following the demoting of co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi, and he immediately had an impact.
In his first full season as a head coach, he led his team to the African Football League championship, the domestic DSTV Premiership, and a trip to the CAF Champions League semifinals.
Mokwena has also assisted Sundowns in reaching the MTN 8 Final thus far this season. On June 1st, at Mbombela Stadium, Mokwena will take on Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final.
“I met an old man at the airport today. He is a very well-known former coach in SA football. He told me that the late Clive Barker told him after he won his first league title that things will change completely for you and that you will have a very difficult time going forward. I am very grateful for the advice he gave me,” says Mokwena.
Mokwena began his coaching career in the youth divisions of the now-defunct Silver Stars. Pitso Mosimane hired him as an assistant coach at Sundowns. After that, he worked as a coach with Chippa United and Orlando Pirates before going back to Sundowns.
Mokwena claims he is putting in a lot of effort to help the team get better.”My mind never shuts off; I’m constantly looking for answers, trying to improve the team’s performance, and helping the players and club become better.”
The 37-year-old is the youngest coach to ever win the league title in the history of South African football. He says he draws inspiration from some of the top coaches in the world, including Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
“I am always trying to understand and learn, especially from some of the best coaches in the world The other day I was listening to Carlo Ancelotti’s interview I think he is going to his fifth Champions League final and he has won league titles everywhere but he has had his ups and downs. A few years ago he was Everton manager and then he went on to represent Real Madrid and win Champions League it shows that the job of coaching is not linear; it has its ups and downs,”
The current COSAFA Coach of the Year almost joined Mosimane at the Egyptian team Al Ahly a few years ago. Mokwena changed his mind when he was at the airport and said he did not regret the decision he made.
Despite not winning the CAF Champions League again, Sundowns have qualified for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the USA next year. “There is a feeling that you are where you are supposed to be and everything happens for a reason and I don’t regret it,” the player said. “I haven’t thought about where the journey might have ended but there is still a huge sense of appreciation and gratitude for where I am today.” Mokwena is also excited to see Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City coach who is his favorite.
“Yes, I am very excited and do you know what excites me even more, Meeting Pep Guardiola.”
Mamelodi Sundowns are still on course to finish the 2023–24 DSTV Premiership season unbeaten and become the first team to achieve that feat.
The Champions are also chasing the PSL record tally of 71 points they set themselves in the 2015/16 season under Pitso Mosimane.
The Brazilians will meet Royal AM in a league match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday evening.
