Rulani Mokwena, who was recently fired as coach of league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, sounded a little distraught and exhausted when Sunday World reached out to him on Friday.
He was unlike the usual exuberant and boisterous coach that we have come to know.
Mokwena was relieved of his duties this week in a move that shocked and took the entire SA football fraternity by surprise.
“I am sorry I cannot say much. I signed a confidentiality clause with the club, and I have to respect that. The wound is still fresh, and I want to recover,” Mokwena told Sunday World.
Mokwena was, however, cagey about his next move and reports linking him to Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic. “I am hearing a lot of things and my agent is handling those things.”
Mokwena said he will use this period to recharge. “Right now, I just want to recharge at Black Poison,” Mokwena said, adding he will be with the amateur Soweto club in the next few weeks.
The 37-year-old coach had a rather impressive season where he won the newly launched African Football League and the PSL league title. His only defeat came on the last day of the season when Sundowns lost 1-0 to Stellenbosch FC. He also won PSL Coach of the Season.
Reads part of the statement that the Brazilians released: “Sundowns is deeply committed to the development and growth of South African coaches and players. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and the technical team will continue to lead and take control of the training and preparation of the players for the upcoming season.
“Sundowns is honoured to be one of four football clubs representing the African continent in the historic Fifa Club World Cup 2025.”
On some of the lessons he learnt from his sacking, Mokwena said: “Work with good people, that is important.”
Sundowns is a big team, we have big projects to reach.
“His only defeat came on the last day of the season when Sundowns lost 1-0 to Stellenbosch FC”. That’s when you lost me, Sundowns lost against Cape Town City not Stellenbosch 🤦🏾♂️ trust a journalist.