Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why he changed his mind at the airport about joining Pitso Mosimane at Al Ahly, saying he does not have any regrets.
This comes after MT Sports marketing and management director, Moira Tlhagale, told the Johannesburg High Court last Friday that Mokwena was supposed to be part of Mosimane’s technical team at Al Ahly but decided to turn back two hours before jetting off.
Speaking to the media after winning the Men’s Coach of the Year award at the Cosafa Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday night, Mokwena said he is where he is supposed to be, and has no regrets about last-minute decision not to join Mosimane.
Everything happens for a reason
“To be honest, I haven’t really had a chance to think about it [the decision to not join Mosimane at Al Ahly], but there is a feeling that ‘you are where you are supposed to be’,” Mokwena said.
“Everything happens for a reason, and I don’t think there is a space in me that’s got any regrets.
“Even though I haven’t really thought about where the journey might have ended, there is still a huge sense of appreciation and gratitude.”
Had Mokwena decided to get on the plane to Egypt and join Mosimane as his assistant, he would have won two more Champions League medals and league titles.
However, he said he is grateful to be where he is, as Sundowns is a big club in Africa.
“I am grateful to be the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. It’s a big enough club and I am very proud of what we have achieved — the contribution of the technical team, the entire board, management, and especially the players.
“I will never forget them in my entire life.”
Back-to-back league titles
Since taking over as the sole Sundowns coach, Mokwena has won back-to-back DStv Premiership titles and guided the Brazilians to their seventh successive league title.
He also won the lucrative inaugural African Football League this season and reached consecutive CAF Champions League semifinals.
Mokwena also became the first coach to win the first 11 league games in charge of a top-flight club in the history of the Premier Soccer League.
Under his tutelage, Sundowns are on the verge of completing the season unbeaten with five games remaining.
