Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopane “Tlhopi” Motsepe says the club was right to end its relationship with coach Rulani Mokwena in 2024 after he failed to deliver the CAF Champions League title.
Motsepe believes Sundowns needed a change in order to overcome the obstacle of winning the competition, despite Mokwena having gained valuable experience during his time with the club.
Speaking to Robert Marawa, Motsepe said Mokwena had taken lessons from Sundowns to the teams he coached afterwards and would continue to benefit from that experience.
Mokwena moved to Wydad after leaving Sundowns and later joined MC Alger. Motsepe also referred to the knowledge Mokwena had gained from Pirates, Sundowns and Wydad.
“It was [the right decision to let go of Rulani at the time], I think in hindsight, when coach Rulani went Wydad, he had lessons that he had learned at Sundowns that he takes there,” Motsepe said.
“When he goes to MC Alger, he had lessons he learned from Pirates, Sundowns and Wydad and he took them there.
“I’m sure he’s going to be successful there. He seems to have gotten off to a good start, and congratulations to him.”
Motsepe added that Sundowns would continue to wish Mokwena and other South African coaches success in continental football, although not when they face the club in the CAF Champions League.
“And again, we say, we want to them to be successful as South African coaches, just not against Sundowns in the Champions League,” he said.
Sundowns are the reigning CAF Champions League holders, having won last season’s final against AS FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate.
However, the club’s failure to win the trophy before that success had contributed to the decision to make a change in the coaching position, according to Motsepe.
He said Sundowns recognised the need to take a different approach after Mokwena had been unable to complete the club’s mission of securing the continental title.
