Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has expressed his sympathy for Kaizer Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki, who has been struggling to find consistency with the Amakhosi since the start of the season.
Speaking during a media press briefing ahead of the MTN8 Cup final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, Mokwena described the many challenges of sitting in the ‘hot seat’ in PSL football.
“Yes, you are right it’s not my place but what I can say is that it is in an empathetic sense (to comment) because we have the same profession and I am sure he (Ntseki) will learn and grow from these situations,” Mokwena said.
“Today it’s him. Tomorrow it’s another coach. Tomorrow it could be me. You know. So that’s why we should have some form of empathy and some feelings but this is our profession and this is what we signed up for.”
Mokwena himself had gone through a difficult experience during his first stint in charge of a PSL club, being the caretaker head coach of Orlando Pirates for a few months in 2019.
He went on to say, “It’s part of the package. Some people say with eloquent English that when you pray for the sun be prepared for the rain and when the rain comes be prepared to deal with the mud. So, that’s our profession. We pray to be head coaches of big clubs and when you are head coach be prepared to deal with uncomfortable situations. And I know because I have been there and I am not talking out of lack of exposure of what he is going through but God loves us all and I am sure the sun will shine again for him and he knows that. And he is more experienced than me to be honest. He has seen more of these situations than I have so I should be the last person to give him any form of advice.”
Kaizer Chiefs have been on a downward spiral since the start of the season and on Tuesday they lost 1-0 to Cape Town City at home.
With the MTN8 Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates set to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, Mokwena’s words of sympathy for Ntseki come at a poignant time.
