Mamelodi Sundowns are set to part company with their head coach Rulani Mokwena in a surprising turn of events.
It is understood the 37-year-old tactician didn’t join the team upon its return to training when the club began the pre-season on Monday this week. Manqoba Mngqithi, who is currently serving as a senior coach, oversaw the first day of training.
As first reported by SABC Sport, this follows disagreements between the two parties. Notably, tensions have simmered for some time between Mokwena and Sporting Director Flemming Berg, suggesting a strained working relationship.
RULANI MOKWENA SET TO LEAVE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
“Coach Rulani is gone, he is not working for Sundowns anymore,” a source told FARPost on Tuesday morning.
Mokwena’s imminent departure is particularly surprising given his perceived backing from management and a successful season last year.
He came close to leading the club to the invincible DStv Premiership, however, their dream was shattered by Cape Town City who beat them 1-0 on the last day of the season.
However, under his leadership, Sundowns set a new record for winning the league 73 points eclipsing their own record of 71 points set by Pitso Mosimane in 2016.
Mokwena also won the Inaugural African Football League beating the mighty Wydad Casablanca in the final. He also helped the club to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup which is going to be held in the USA next year in June.
This is the second stint for Mokwena at Sundowns having been with the club as an assistant coach under Mosimane between 2014 and 2017. He then went to Orlando Pirates and was with the Soweto giants until 2020 before rejoining the Brazilians in the same role under ‘Jingles.
He was appointed along with Manqoba Mngqithi as co-coaches after the departure of Mosimane in September 2020. Mokwena then took over as the sole head coach in 2022 with Mngqithi demoted.
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