Snl24 | Agent addresses question marks on Rulani’s future

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 15: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena during the DStv Premiership match between Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns at Dobsonville Stadium on April 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images),uüªÆcäÌϼ

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena’s agent Steve Kapeluschnik has responded to doubts over the young coach’s future that emerged after the club failed to reach the CAF Champions League final once again.

Sundowns have been struggling to reach the CAF Champions League final since they won the trophy for the first time under former coach Pitso Mosimane in the 2015/16 season.

Although they won the inaugural African Football League, there were huge expectations to reach the Champions League final after coming up against Esperance de Tunis in the semi-finals.

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However, the Tshwane giants were knocked out 2-0 on aggregate after losing both legs 1-0, and there were suggestions that Mokwena’s job could be under threat, as the club has big ambitions of conquering the continent.

The high standards at Sundowns were such that after they were thrashed 3-0 by Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-finals second leg and also by the same scoreline on aggregate in October 2022, they restructured the technical team.

Mokwena became sole head coach after previously serving as co-coach alongside Manqoba Mngqithi, who was demoted to senior coach.

After the defeat to Esperance, there were question marks posed on whether Mokwena is still suitable for the club as a head coach.

Now, his agent Kapeluschnik, speaking exclusively to KickOff, says he had no doubt in his mind that the 37-year-old would continue, as he has been “phenomenal” for The Brazilians.

“You know these things happen in football and I think that Rulani has been phenomenal and unbelievable this season. He smashed every single record. Okay, they didn’t get to the final of the Champions League. These things happen, but he’s been absolutely phenomenal really,” Kapeluschnik commented.

“I don’t think there’s been a coach in the 20 years that I’ve been involved (in football) that has attained the level of success that he’s made, I’m happy,” he added.

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Mokwena pleaded with Sundowns fans, after the Champions League semi-final exit, to give him four years to deliver a second star on the club’s badge.

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