Rhulani Mokwena’s story with Mamelodi Sundowns is a testament to his dedication, tactical mind, and winning mentality. The young South African coach has been instrumental in the club’s recent dominance, stacking silverware across his tenure.
Learning Under the Legends:
Mokwena’s journey at Sundowns began in their youth system. He honed his skills under established coaches like Steve Komphela and Pitso Mosimane. This period proved crucial, allowing him to absorb knowledge and understand the club’s philosophy, which emphasizes possession-based attacking football.
The Astute Assistant:
By 2014, Mokwena’s talent was undeniable. He was promoted to be one of Mosimane’s assistant managers, alongside Manqoba Mngqithi. This trio formed a formidable coaching unit, leading Sundowns to a historic treble in the 2016 season, which included the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title, the Nedbank Cup, and the pinnacle of African club football, the CAF Champions League. Mokwena’s tactical acumen and analytical mind were believed to be instrumental in crafting their game plan and securing those trophies.
Shared Leadership and Continued Trophy Haul:
In 2017, Mokwena sought new experiences, taking up an assistant coach role at Orlando Pirates. He later became the head coach at Chippa United before returning to Sundowns in 2019, this time as joint head coach alongside Mngqithi.
The co-coaching system with Mngqithi proved highly effective. They combined experience with fresh ideas, leading Sundowns to further domestic dominance, adding two more PSL titles (2020, 2021) and another Nedbank Cup (2020) to the trophy cabinet. They also reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals in 2020. While their co-coaching stint ended in 2023, Mokwena’s contribution to that period of relentless cup success cannot be overstated.
Rhulani Mokwena Sundowns Legacy:
Rhulani Mokwena’s journey at Mamelodi Sundowns is a story of dedication, learning, and ultimately, leadership. He has been a key architect in their trophy haul, both as an assistant and a joint head coach. While the future holds new challenges, Mokwena’s influence on the club’s recent period of dominance, marked by a multitude of cups, is undeniable.
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