Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Lebohang ‘Cheeseboy’ Mokoena has shared his views on transfer talk linking Pitso Mosimane with a potential return to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The veteran coach has been unemployed for a year now after leaving Iranian Pro League side Esteghlal FC in January 2025. He has been linked with a number of clubs, including Kaizer Chiefs, but no move has materialised.
Having left Sundowns in September 2020 after carving himself a glowing reputation as the most successful Masandawana coach, Mosimane went on to work outside South Africa. A trophy-laden spell at Cairo giants Al Ahly was followed by guiding Al Ahli to promotion back to the Saudi Pro League.
However, stints at Emirati side Al Wahda, Abha Club and Esteghlal were not successful. But he remains one of the most sought-after coaches in Africa and is now rumoured to be earmarked for another Sundowns stint.
Masandawana are enduring a difficult Betway Premiership campaign and face the risk of having their run of eight successive league titles stopped. Orlando Pirates lead them in the PSL title race in a season they have already missed out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout.
That has made current Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso unpopular with fans and his future at Chloorkop appears uncertain. The rumoured interest in Mosimane comes despite the coach being embroiled in a multimillion-dollar agents’ commission fees dispute with the Brazilians.
MOKOENA ON WHY MOSIMANE IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO REPLACE CARDOSO AT SUNDOWNS
“Mostly, the fans are not convinced. You must know that Sundowns fans have the power as well to say this coach is not good enough for us,” said Mokoena on Soccerbeat.
“But it will be unfair if it happens now [the sacking of Cardoso], but if it happens as the season progresses, it will be understandable. The fans want the shoe-shine piano.
“They are tired of what they are watching which is not so convincing in their eyes. Certain players as well are not being given opportunities. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, some players are not happy with the coach.
“We don’t know how management feels about that, but it’s a decision we will all keep our eyes on just to see what’s going to happen. But definitely, mdala [Mosimane] is a candidate.”
‘THE PSL NEEDS MOSIMANE’: MOKOENA
“I’m excited [about Mosimane to Sundowns talk], for me it’s always good to see one of the coaches who has done so much, not only for Sundowns but South African football and putting us on the map out there,” continued Mokoena who also played for Sundowns.
“His experience outside the country, he has worked with a lot of players, he knows a lot of things. I feel the competition in the league in terms of the battle of coaches, the press conferences, the post-match interviews, the tactics, mind games.
“Coach Pitso is one guy who really works very hard. I’m sure wherever he is, he is also hoping that he could get a proper offer from one of the big clubs. Obviously, Sundowns would be the first option because he has worked there before.
“It just gives me a lot of goosebumps because I’ve been saying this league needs coach Pitso Mosimane. Not only for the antics and stuff but just to make it more competitive.”
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