Pyramids FC coach Rulani Mokwena has spoken about his divided loyalties ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. The two giants clash in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday at 18h00.
Interestingly, Mokwena coached both clubs before embarking on his journey through North African football, which has taken him to Morocco, Algeria, Libya and now Egypt.
Mokwena is eagerly anticipating the final, backing the two well-coached sides to deliver an entertaining contest. He expects a match of exceptional technical quality.
“It’s very difficult for me to decide who I think will win, but I’ll be very happy at the end, for sure,” Mokwena told SAFJA members.
“At the end of the game, I’ll be very happy because if Sundowns win, I would be very, very happy. And if Orlando Pirates win, I will be very, very happy too.”
RULANI MOKWENA’S ONE EXCEPTION TO SUPPORTING SUNDOWNS AND PIRATES
While his affection for both clubs remains strong, Mokwena made it clear that sentiment disappears when he faces them from the opposing bench.
“The only time I don’t want Pirates or Sundowns to win is when I’m sitting, and I’m competing on the opposite bench. That’s the only time,” he explained.
“When I was at Pirates, I wanted to win every time against Sundowns, even though I am a Sundowns fan. When I was at Sundowns, when we played Pirates, I wanted to win every time we played against them, even though I’m an Orlando Pirates fan.”
Mokwena’s connection to the Buccaneers stretches back to his childhood in Orlando West. He later served as an assistant coach and had a spell in interim charge of the first team.
At Sundowns, his journey included academy work and an assistant coaching role before he became co-coach and subsequently head coach. Reflecting on the Brazilians’ influence, Mokwena thanked the club’s leadership for the opportunities afforded to him.
“I’m a big Mamelodi Sundowns fan too. I love the club. I’m very grateful for what the club and Dr Patrice [Motsepe] and the chairman have done to help me be the coach that I am.”
Meanwhile, Mokwena believes fans have reason to anticipate a high-level encounter.
“I look forward to it, and I think the public will be exposed to a very high level technically. We see the national team [Bafana] is dominated by both teams; this is where the cream of the crop is. It is not by chance that there are so many players (in Bafana) from Pirates and Sundowns.”
RELATED STORY: Rulani Mokwena reveals how surprise Ramaphosa meeting unfolded in Cairo
