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.
