Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has declared the one bias he has, which has become evident since he took over as head coach.
Rulani Mokwena was recently elevated to the position of sole head coach of Sundowns after two seasons of sharing the responsibility with Manqoba Mngqithi last month.
The defending champions have played like a transformed mean machine since then. They have won all four games under Mokwena, scoring 15 goals and conceding none.
“I always say to you; the game belongs to the players. We have little influence on what happens over 90 minutes, so credit goes to the players,” Mokwena said after clinching the Carling Cup.
Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 4-0 to lift the Cup ahead of the FIFA World Cup break.
After guiding Sundowns to cup glory, he opened up on a bias he has as a coach.
“The first and big mandate is to win football matches. We put a lineup without any sort of committed biases in relation to whether the player is young or old. We try to have the best team on the pitch because we have to try to win the football match,” he said.
MOKWENA’S BIAS
“But maybe also because of my background as a coach, having spent a lot of time with the youth… I’ve got a lot of bias with young players.
“I am sitting here today as a product of youth development. I was a youth coach, and someone believed in me.
“They gave me the opportunity, and today I sit in a position of privilege where I can coach some of the best players in the country or even the African continent.”
He further said he felt the responsibility to give opportunities to young players and help his club have a better future. Cassius Mailula, scorer of three goals in the Carling Cup, has started all four matches under Mokwena.
In the final, he had academy stars, including Ntando Nkosi and Siyanda Nyanga, on the bench. Players like Percy Tau, Sphelele Mkhulise and the late Motjeka Madisha all came through his hands.
“I’ve done it almost everywhere that I’ve gone. I’m just proud of these kids.
“We have that type of responsibility – the most immediate mandate is to win and then to try and help the club have a bright future. And also knowing how much it means to the Mamelodi Sundowns supporters to see some of their products coming to the first team. It augurs well for the future. Not just for the club but also the country.”
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