Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe has put in plain words why the club opted to extend coach Rulani Mokwena’s stay by four more years.
Known for being a student of the game, Mokwena led Sundowns to their sixth consecutive DStv Premiership title in the just-ended season.
He had initially started the 2022/23 campaign as a co-coach along with Steve Komphela and Manqoba Mngqithi.
But a coaching re-shuffle in October 2022 occurred after a series of below-par performances with the co-coaching set-up discontinued. Mokwena became the sole head coach mid-season with Komphela promoted as the first team coach and Mngqithi demoted to the senior coach position.
And with Mokwena in charge, Sundowns made light work of their oppositions to end the season with a massive 16-point gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates. In addition, they only suffered two defeats. At some stage, the Tshwane giants went 24 games unbeaten under Mokwena.
For his efforts, the former Orlando Pirates coach walked away with the DStv Coach of the Season accolade. As a result, Sundowns handed Mokwena a four-year contract extension that will see him remain at Chloorkop until 2027.
The Soweto-born coach also led Sundowns to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League with his side playing enterprising football. They were knockout out on the away goals rule by Wydad Casablanca.
MOTSEPE SAYA RULANI IS A ‘PERFECT FIT’ FOR SUNDOWNS
“Our head coach Rulani Mokwena has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the football club,” confirmed Motsepe. “And what this means is we will have four more years of success. Four more years of hard work and dedication. And four more years of joy, trophies, and wonderful memories of the yellow nation.”
Tlhopie Motsepe believes Mokwena is a ‘perfect fit’ for the club and will take the Bafana Ba Style to greater heights.
The Sundowns chairman further described Mokwena as a hard worker that is not afraid to take risks in order to succeed. On top of that, Motsepe stated that Mokwena is a glowing example of a coach without limitations.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. But on top of that he is talented,” added Motsepe.
“He [Mokwena] does have the ability to be a great coach. But he doesn’t take that for granted. That’s why I believe he’s such a great fit for a club like Mamelodi Sundance because our motto says that ‘the sky is the limit’.
“We have a leader on the pitch who matches our philosophy. He’s daring, he’s bold and he’s committed. But more than anything he wants to inspire through his craft through, the game of football. That’s what you want to do as a football club as well.”
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