Point to prove Bucs fans are pinning their hopes on interim coach Rulani Mokwena to turn the ship around
So far, so bad for the Buccaneers and the question fans of the Happy People are asking is can interim coach Rulani Mokwena turn their fortunes around?
For me, it’s about the responsibility of representing our own people, the black and white nation
Rulani Mokwena Orlando Pirates caretaker coach
● Balance. That’s the key word that has been uttered so many times by Orlando Pirates caretaker coach Rulani Mokwena (34) as he tries to guide the Buccaneers to steady waters after the sudden departure last Friday of Milutin Sredojevic.
All can see that Bucs have been floating recklessly up and down like a ship without a captain since the start of the 2019-20 season, hence Mokwena is looking to do the balancing act.
Coming from a family that has a long history with Pirates, starting from the time when Mokwena’s grandfather, Eric “Scara” Sono, led the team in the 1960s to when his uncle Jomo Sono and father Julius “KK” Sono donned the black and white jersey in the 1980s, the responsibility on Mokwena’s tiny shoulders is massive.
Get the job done
Speaking about that responsibility this week, Mokwena looked relaxed and not too fazed about not being 100% confirmed as Bucs’ new head coach.
“I don’t even think about that,” said Mokwena when asked about using the few games ahead for him to boost his chances of being permanently installed as head coach of Bucs.
“For me, it’s not even about that. For me, it is about the responsibility of representing our own people, the black and white nation and making sure that we get the job done.”
For Mokwena’s tough task continued late last night when the Buccaneers were looking to reverse a 1-0 deficit against Green Eagles of Zambia in a preliminary round of the Caf Champions League.
Talking ahead of this match, Mokwena was clear about its importance, ensuring Bucs progress to the first round of the Champions League where an even tougher task awaits him as Pirates are likely to face Angolan champions Primeiro de Agosto.
Mokwena admitted that his charges were shaken by Sredojevic’s dramatic departure that was accompanied by reports of him being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Joburg hotel before emerging as a new coach of Egyptian giants Zamalek on Monday.
The focus though for Mokwena has been on the pitch, where Bucs have looked at sixes and sevens, even in the few matches before Sredojevic’s unceremonious exit.
“I think if we bring back the performance of the first half against AmaZulu, if we bring back the performance of the 90 minutes of Bloemfontein Celtic where we won 3-1, I think we should be okay,” said Mokwena.
“We are a team that has got a lot of offensive skills. We are a team that offensively look to play in certain ways and create chances in certain patterns.
“It’s only normal that at the beginning of the season we’re not getting into gear. It’s only normal.”
Getting the players’ minds to focus only on what they need to do on the field has been Mokwena’s mission in the first week he was in charge of the team.
“It’s work in progress and is about getting the confidence of the players back and making sure that we try to get our organisational form right, and getting the right balance between attacking and defending,” he said.
“That’s the most important thing for us ... to be in the right positions when we have the ball and also to be well set up when we don’t have the ball.
“So it’s about working on those organisational frames but, like I said, it will come. It’s a matter of time.”
We should be okay
That time, Mokwena will hope, won’t take long to come as Bucs look to improve their position on the Absa Premiership table in the next five matches in which they face Golden Arrows, Bidvest Wits, Highlands Park, Chippa United and Stellenbosch FC, all before the end of October.
“There’s a reason why we scored the most goals in the league last season,” said Mokwena, who is hoping to build on what they had in the last two seasons under Sredojevic.
“We’ve improved the quality of the team and once we get into that rhythm we should be okay.”
It is that rhythm and balance that Mokwena believes in the end will confirm him unequivocally as Bucs’ new head coach.