Rhulani Mokwena Fought Back Emotions To Say His Hand Was Forced Into Leaving Mamelodi Sundowns

Rhulani Mokwena Fought Back Emotions To Say His Hand Was Forced Into Leaving Mamelodi Sundowns

  • Despite a stellar record, Rhulani Mokwena said he was forced to leave PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns
  • The 37-year-old fought back emotions as he spoke about his departure from Masandawana during an interview with veteran football journalist Robert Marawa
  • Local netizens reacted on social media to say Mokwena failed at crucial moments for the club, while others said they were disappointed by Sundowns' decision
Rhulani Mokwena did not want to leave Mamelodi Sundowns
Rhulani Mokwena said he was grateful for the time he spent at Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: coach_rulani
Source: Instagram

Coach Rhulani Mokwena said he was forced to leave Mamelodi Sundowns, but was grateful to have spent 12 years at the Pretoria club.

The four-time PSL champion fought back emotions as he spoke about his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns during an interview with sports journalist Robert Marawa.

Rhulani Mokwena's hand was forced

Mokwena speaks about his time at Sundowns in the video below:

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Clash of Champions: Mamelodi Sundowns will face Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in Austria friendly

During an interview on 947 Joburg's YouTube channel, Mokwena said he was grateful to have worked with the Sundowns players, who showed sadness after his dismissal.

While fighting back his emotions, Mokwena said:

"I came with crazy ideas, and they breathed life into them. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with this amazing group of players. I did not want to leave; I have to make that clear, my hand was forced. There are a lot of things I cannot talk about; I signed a confidentiality clause that prohibits me from speaking about some of the details."

Sundowns' decision saddens fans

Local netizens took to social media to express their disappointment with Sundowns' decision to dismiss Mokwena, while others felt the coach failed the team at crucial moments.

Bayeni made a prediction:

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Teboho Mokoena posted a heartfelt image after Mamelodi Sundowns cut ties with coach Rhulani Mokwena

"He's going to Kaizer Chiefs."

Lungisani Ndawonde says Mokwena failed at critical points:

"Rhulani lost five important games: MTN8 Pirates final; Wydad semi-final ACL; Cape Town City confirming invincible PSL season; Nedbank Cup Pirates final and Esperance semi-final ACL."

DOYI says Sundowns expected too much:

"Woow, in football, you win some and you lose some. Let's see if the new coach is going to win everything, as he was expected."

King ramz (MA) backed Mokwena:

"For me, he was the best. However, football has many transitions."

Kgomotso #WarAgainstCrime is disappointed:

"This is painful, at least a celebratory send-off to mask the office politics. Give him a citizen watch, a handshake and a meaningless certificate handed with a fake smile. Rather than this kick on the backside. So sad."

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Al Hilal

As Briefly News reported, PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns will face Saudi Pro League title winners Al Hilal in a pre-season friendly on Friday, 26 July 2024, in Austria.

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Coach Rhulani Mokwena is not the only casualty in Mamelodi Sundowns' campaign for more titles

The PSL club could face global superstars such as Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrović and Rúben Neves in preparation for defending the PSL title next season.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Junior Bester avatar

Junior Bester (Editor) Junior Bester is the current Entertainment (Sports) Writer at Briefly News. He achieved a ND:Journalism at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2012. He worked for Independent Newspapers from 2011 till 2022 covering news, sport, business and entertainment for titles such as Weekend Argus, Cape Argus, Daily Voice and Northern News. Junior passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. He joined Briefly News in 2024. You can reach him at junior.bester@briefly.co.za