Rulani Mokwena did the right thing by rejecting Al Ahly offer!
Rulani Mokwena did the right thing by rejecting Al Ahly offer!
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena is in the news after it emerged that he made a last-minute U-turn on leaving with Pitso Mosimane to Al Ahly in 2020.
At the time, Mokwena had just returned to the club following stints with Orlando Pirates and Chippa United.
In October 2020, Mosimane received a bumper offer to join Al Ahly, and Mosimane wanted him to join him at the Egyptian giants, according to Sunday World.
Had Mokwena not change his mind, he would be in Saudi Arabia with Mosimane who’s coaching relegation-hreatened Abha FC.
But did Mokwena make the right decision?
RULANI MOKWENA REAPING THE REWARDS OF REJECTING AL AHLY
The answer to the above question is simple: Mokwena made the right decision by rejecting the offer to join Mosimane and stay at Sundowns.
And he’s definitely reaping the rewards of his decision as success continues to follow him at Sundowns.
He has delivered two league titles as co-coach with Manqoba Mngqithi and stand-alone coach since the departure of Mosimane.
Furthermore, Mokwena delivered the African Football League and stands a good chance of winning a treble this season as Sundowns will play in the Nedbank Cup final.
He’s also unbeaten in the league since taking over the coaching role at Sundowns, meaning he could make history in PSL football if he doesn’t lose the remaining league matches.
All that and more prove just how successful Mokwena has been – the success he wouldn’t claim as his had he followed Mosimane to Al Ahly.
As per KickOff, Mosimane said Mokwena would be a better coach than him, and the little steps he has taken so far, suggest the Kagiso-born mentor could be right.
Mokwena is passionate about coaching and success, and this has always been his dream hence he’s started coaching at a very young age.
And at 37, he still has a long way to go and it’s rest assured that more big clubs are coming after his services given his success at Sundowns.
Even the same Al Ahly that he nearly joined as an assistant coach could come for him in the next few years, this time to head the technical team.
MOKWENA’S RECORD AS SUNDOWNS HEAD COACH
No PSL coach has been able to defeat Mokwena in the league since his appointment in October 2022.
He has coached in 49 league games since then, winning 37 and recorded just 12 draws at Sundowns.
Overall, Mokwena has managed 86 games across all competitions, winning 57, drawing 22 and losing just seven, according to Transfermarkt.