Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed the source of
his inspiration, as he continues to make his mark in South African
football despite Saturday’s setback.
Mokwena has not lost a league match since he was appointed as sole head
coach at the Brazilians last year in October, setting a new record in the
PSL era of 32 games undefeated.
South African legend and Jomo Cosmos owner Jomo Sono recently praised his
nephew, the 36-year-old coach, for his hard work and passion.
Sono said he believes Mokwena works 24-hours a day and hardly sleeps,
joking that he probably does not even have a bed and uses his laptop as a
bed due to his dedication to improving his craft.
Mokwena returned the favour, stating that Sono’s achievements, coming
from the same family, is what inspired him to work harder.
“His success is enough weight on my shoulders already, so part to what we
try to do, of course as an individual that belongs to a group, is to try
to get ourselves, myself in particular to a level where I think the family
can be proud,” Mokwena said in a press conference.
“Because of the achievements particularly from Bra J as my uncle and my
father (Julius Sono) and my late grandfather (also an Orlando Pirates
legend) and their contributions to South African football. “They have made
things extremely difficult for us, myself, Bamuza (Sono), the generation
that comes as off-springs and I’m just humbled by his words and he knows
that, I don’t only see him as an uncle, as a father to be honest but also
as an inspiration,” he said.
“From everything he has done from his playing days, even as a coach, he’s
coached Bafana, he’s coached at the World Cup, he’s won so many trophies
as a coach. “And like they say, you only get to see further because you
stand on the shoulders of giants and I can only be better by continuing to
stand on his shoulders and appreciating the strength and the work that he
has put in to set the trail for us to follow,” he added.
Mokwena’s Sundowns lost 3-1 on penalties to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8
final, after the game was locked at 0-0 after extra time at Moses Mabhida
Stadium on Saturday.
PIRATES ARE MTN8 CHAMPIONS!
Orlando Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win the MTN8 final. #MTN8FINAL #Pirates #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/Q4TXCV2Yk1— Scrolla Sport (@ScrollaSport) October 7, 2023
