Rhulani is a real inspiration!
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, is nothing short of an inspiration and someone to look up to for any aspiring youth out there. Whether you are a coach, footballer, boxer or even non-athlete, there is something you can learn from the young but decorated manager in his young coaching career. This man has made such a huge impact not only at Sundowns but in South African football at large, in a relatively short space of time.
This is someone who has been in the game for a long time for someone his age, being in charge and playing an active role in making a difference at every club that he’s been at. And this is someone revered by the football fraternity at large. Love or loathe him, for whatever reason, Rhulani will always evoke an emotion from someone because he is so astute that whatever he touches seems to turn to gold. He took over the reins at the Brazilians over a year ago and has overseen 50 games with 35 wins, 14 draws and one loss in the domestic league. The two penalty shoot-out losses to Orlando Pirates (MTN8 final) and TS Galaxy (Carling Knockout) count as draws. That is a remarkable progress report by any means because it means he’s done better than any Sundowns coach and surely ranks among the best to ever do it, especially at these big clubs. This is something that cannot be overemphasised, congratulated or celebrated enough. At only 36, Mokwena has done more and set records that even senior citizens in the coaching fraternity are yet to achieve. Some of them will quit or retire from the game without coming close to the impact this young genius has had in the Beautiful Game! That’s just how big his impact has been in the football space.
Since coach Pitso Mosimane left the country, one can safely say that Mokwena has taken over because, whether it is postmatch interviews, pre-match interviews, press conferences, media days, you name it, there will always be some quotable quotes from the young technocrat. He’s been doing well and going about his business, focused on the job at hand without worrying much about what is happening or being said outside. This is a man who, as young as he is, has showed and proved to have broad shoulders, a big heart and a strong mind. He seems to go for whatever he’s set his mind to and give his all to get it. For someone who’s just started over a year ago as a head coach at Downs, to draw the attention that he has done and to do as well as he has done, coupled with the interest that he has reportedly attracted from even big powerhouses in the continent, it says a lot about the man that he is and what he has achieved so far. To think he’s only 36, and what lies ahead for this young gentleman gives one goosebumps. When coach Pitso said Rhulani would become an even better coach than him, very few – if any – would have believed him. Most people thought he was just being generous. However, at the rate things are going for Mokwena, that prophetic word from “Jingles” has a potential to prove to be true, sooner than later.
This is someone from a big football family, one of whose generations have impacted South African football and left an indelible impression. That is the Sono family, whose blood runs through Mokwena’s veins. After all, this is a grandson to Eric “Scara” Sono, a son to Julius Sono and a nephew to Jomo Sono. These are legendary football figures and it doesn’t get bigger than that! It could have been very easy for Rhulani to bask in the glory of his father, uncle or grandfather, as it is normally the case with the young, especially African talents, and not bother himself because he would not have that much of a drive like an ordinary young man. But he chose to ‘swim against the tide’ because he went out to make a name for himself. Not even once do you hear or see any hints of self-entitlement because of his family’s impact in our football. He’s not one to claim or exploit the Sono legacy for his own benefit. In fact, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that he is actually part of the Sono family. The man is quietly paving his own way, making the most of the opportunities that come his way. This is something that a lot of people can learn because, without playing professional football, Rhulani has made it this far and not even a single professional or even a former player can look down on him just because he didn’t play the game at professional level. He’s made his mark already, young as he is, and everyone reveres him. He’s made sure to stand his ground and make history by impacting the game in so many different and positive ways. He continues to work hard, creating his own history and legacy without relying on that of his family.
Every opportunity he’s been given so far has been grabbed with both hands by Rhulani. Whether it was his time at Platinum Stars, where it all started with coach Steve Komphela promoting him to be his assistant, from the junior ranks, to when he was at Orlando Pirates, Chippa United or his return to Chloorkop where he assisted Mosimane and worked as co-coaches with coach Manqoba Mngqithi with Komphela as the Senior coach, he always gave his all and made his presence felt. He’s celebrated his success as much as he’s acknowledged his mistakes. Who can forget him admitting that he was too quick to press the reset button after taking over from coach Milutin Sredojevic at Pirates? This, after making a lot of changes too soon in the team and not getting the desired results, which saw him being sent to the Chilli Boys.
It is not every day that you find a young coach like Rhulani leading experienced campaigners and head coaches in their own right, and legends of the game in Komphela and Mngqithi. This says a lot about who and what Mokwena is, because not every 36-yearold can lead and guide experienced and strong personalities like the two knowledgeable coaches and maintain success and a great working relationship. A lot of maturity must come into play because, as mentioned, these are knowledgeable and very smart coaches. As much as he led them, and still leads Mngqithi, they are his seniors and the respect is mutual. He’s earned their respect because he respects them and his craft enough to know that there is a bigger picture and coaching is not about egos but holding hands for the benefit of the team. He’s also earned everyone’s respect because he always makes sure to stay ahead of the curve. This is someone who is never satisfied with his team’s performances. It goes to show that he’s never satisfied with his personal and individual achievements as well because he’s always ready to push the envelope. This is another lesson and something for people to adopt from Rhulani and be inspired by. This is something that should inspire the young lads and lasses out there to say if coach Rhulani can buck the trend, empower himself and make things happen, so can I. Rhulani is a real inspiration and his story has to be told. We have to celebrate and encourage him to keep going, with his feet firmly on the ground, because The Sky is the Limit! The future is bright for this young coach and we wish him everything of the best. His wins are our wins. You deserve everything you’ve got and more, coach. “To him whom much is given, much is required,” like you always remind us.
Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies who were crowned CAF Women’s Champions League Champions on Sunday after beating Sporting Casablanca 3-0 in the final.
On a sad note, the football fraternity has been dealt another blow with the untimely passing of former Zimbabwean international goalkeeper, George Chigova. It is really sad that we lose another young footballer, a few weeks after Bonginkosi Ntuli also lost a battle against cancer at such a young age. Heartfelt condolences to Chigova’s family, friends, former teammates and the whole football fraternity.