Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali has opened up on the breakdown of his relationship with Rulani Mokwena during their time at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Jali, who has since retired from professional football, reflected on the strained relationship in an interview on the Arena Sports Show.
The veteran midfielder, once a key figure at Sundowns, found himself on the fringes before eventually moving on to Moroka Swallows. The former Bafana Bafana star later had a short stint at Chippa United, where he ultimately brought his playing career to a close.
Speaking candidly, Jali suggested that the relationship became difficult due to what he perceived as a shift in Mokwena’s approach to managing him.
WHAT CAUSED THE FALLOUT BETWEEN JALI & MOKWENA?
“Ah, that one. Me and him, yeah, we had fun, but at the end, we didn’t have fun,” Jali said. “Because I saw that he is becoming more to be a father to a person that is old. So you can’t be a father to me. No, I have kids, I have my family, I have a wife.”
“Now he wants to be my father again. No, he can’t be. I want to work. I can be at work, but you can’t be a father! You want to tell me what to do? I’m old, and I know what to do, I know what not to do.”
Following his unexpected exit from the Brazilians in July 2024, Rulani Mokwena has revealed the deep emotional toll his departure had on the players and their families.
“I heard their dads were crying, and I speak to their wives, just to try to calm them down, the wives start crying,” said Mokwena with MSW with Robert Marawa.
The newly appointed Al Ittihad Tripoli coach had built close relationships with the players’ families. He is on record as mentioning his connections with the sons of Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane.
He explained at the time of his exit: “From Tsitsi, Grant Kekana’s son, to Khumo, Aubrey Modiba’s son, to Lerumo, Teboho Mokoena’s son, to Sifiso, Themba Zwane’s son, I know their families, I know the wives, the kids, I played with these players’ kids, it’s incredible.
“When they called me, some of them, to say thank you but also to ask what is happening, so it was very difficult, and it has been difficult. But coaching is like this, you have to be able to take it. You have to win, and I didn’t win the CAF Champions League even though I am very proud of what we have done, and I know how difficult that competition is.”
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