On Tuesday, Richards Bay Football Club announced the tragic passing of their midfielder Siphamandla Mtolo. Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has expressed his sincere condolences to the Natal Rich Boyz, the Mtolo family, and everyone who was associated with the late midfielder.
Mokwena has a personal connection to the tragedy, having been affected by the death of former Sundowns defender Motjeka Madisha two years ago. He said, “Maybe because I experienced something so painful, losing the late Madisha was a scar that I will probably never heal from…Expressing sincere condolences to all the bereaved, Richards Bay family and the Mtolo family.”
The 36-year old coach shared his experience of Madisha’s passing, saying, “When you coach, you move into a space where you spend so much time with the players, with the football club, the staff. That you become family and to have witnessed Madisha’s remains in the car for me was so devastating, something I’ve never…also there was a moment I just felt life can be unfair but the unfairness of life also presents the opportunities for many of us to understand that what we do we’re privileged to be doing.”
Mokwena also expressed his understanding of God’s timing, saying, “Motjeka has played 99 official matches for Mamelodi Sundowns and one short of a century but God’s timing is God’s timing and at times you say, ‘Ah, couldn’t you have waited for a week?’ one more and what an incredible innings.”
Mokwena has conveyed his sincere condolences to the Natal Rich Boys, the Mtolo family, and everyone associated with the late midfielder. He has also learned from Madisha’s passing that God’s timing is God’s timing.
