Pitso power
High turnover of coaches is what separates Sundowns from the two Soweto giants
● Rulani Mokwena is a polarising figure. Frankly it is not surprising.
He is, after all, the son of Julius Sono, who is the brother of Jomo Sono. So the apple does not fall too far from the tree. The Sonos are never shy to speak. Say their say they will. Whether you agree or disagree with what they say is a subject for another day.
Mokwena has returned to Mamelodi Sundowns. As things stand there are strong disagreements between opposing factions of the supporters fraternity about his move back to Mamelodi, three years after venturing to Chippa United via Orlando Pirates.
Some in the Yellow Nation are welcoming him with open arms. Others are cursing. Some on the Sea Robbers’ ship are swearing like sailors at his departure. Others are saying good riddance to bad rubbish.
What matters is that Pitso Mosimane is embracing the prodigal son, who twice played bridesmaid to Sundowns while second in command to Milutin “Micho” Sredejovic, and whose stint at Chippa United was briefer than a G-string.
His move back to Mamelodi heralds another chapter of his coaching career, with Mosimane believing he is welcoming an improved coach.
“He comes back a much better coach in terms of his experience now. He has seen things, he has coached as head coach, he has moved on. I’m receiving an improved Rulani,” said Mosimane.
Mokwena returns to take his place in a technical team that has torn apart the competition.
Since the departure of Steve Komphela from Kaizer Chiefs, the revolving door has rotated. Giovanni Solinas could not pull an Italian job.
His major contribution was bowing in front of forward Khama Billiat during a substitution before losing 2-1 to amateur part-timers Zimamoto FC of Zanzibar, a
Mosimane has earned his right to speak. He has an overflowing trophy cabinet to back it up
result that left Chiefs so gatvol they jettisoned him pronto.
His successor Ernst Middendorp is dragging them kicking and screaming towards a first trophy of any form in five years. There’s been similar gnashing and gnawing of teeth owing to failure to secure silverware. Before Josef
Zinnbauer arrived to take the reins from stand-in coach Mokwena at Pirates, the coaching baton had gone from Sredojevic, Shell garage aka Kjell Jonevret, karateka kosh (caretaker coach in Perunglish) Augusto Palacios, Muhsin Ertugral, Eric Tinkler and Vladimir Vermezovic.
That is a whopping seven coaches in seven years. Can you spell madness? Such a situation is perfect only to breed a plantation of instability.
The high turnover of coaches is what separates Sundowns from the two Soweto giants — giants by reputation and not results. Mokwena comes back on a four-year contract, same as Mosimane and assistant coach Manqoba Mngqithi. The other assistant, Wendell Robinson, is a long-standing member of the technical team.
That proudly SA tactical brains trust has the DNA of the mellow yellow and together they have converted the men from Mamelodi into an irrepressible and indefatigable mean machine that mercilessly conquers all before it.
They only once finished outside the top two in the Premier Soccer League standings since Mosimane was unveiled as the head honcho at Chloorkop. Can you spell consistency?
Sundowns are the standard-bearers of success on the local soccer scene. To paraphrase Irvin Khoza, the PSL chair when handing over the coach of the season award to Mosimane, uthanda ungathandi (like it or not) Pitso rules the PSL roost.
He is also a polarising figure. Either you like him or you don’t. There is no fence-sitting when it comes to him. It must be a trait he learnt from his mentor. Guess who? Jomo Sono. Mosimane has earned his right to speak. Frankly, it is not surprising. He has an overflowing trophy cabinet to back it up.
Twitter: @bbkunplugged99