Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says he is feeling rather sorry for his counterpart at Kaizer Chiefs Molefi Ntseki, who is facing the wrath of the club’s supporters after an uninspiring start to his tenure as Amakhosi head coach.
Ntseki’s charges lost their fourth match of the season when they succumbed to Cape Town City on Tuesday. Mokwena, who was speaking ahead of the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, was responding to a question regarding the struggles that Ntseki is going through since he was appointed to replace Arthur Zwane, who had a turbulent 2022/2023 season.
The Chiefs fans are continuing where they left off with Zwane, pelting Ntseki with missiles and forcing him to leave the stadiums in police and security guards’ escort. Chiefs have played nine matches and only managed three wins, four losses and two draws.
“I am feeling a sense of empathy because we are in the same profession. I am sure he will learn and grow from this situations. Today it is him, tomorrow it can be another coach – it can also be me next time. This is our profession and this is what we signed up for,” said Mokwena.
“Some people say that when you pray for the sun, be prepared for the rain — and when the rain comes, be prepared to deal with the mud. That’s our profession. We pray to be head coaches of big clubs and when you are head of a big club, you have to be prepared to deal with uncomfortable situations. I know because I have been there — I am not talking out of lack of experience of what he is going through. God loves us all and I am sure the sun will shine again for him.
“He is more experienced than me, he has seen more of these situations than I have and I should be the last person to give him advice,” added Mokwena.
Said the embattled Ntseki after the City defeat: “Four defeats is too much and it doesn’t go well with all of us. The team has bought good quality players. I always say it’s a process, it’s a process for them to understand the game model, it’s a process for them to understand results like this.”
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