Legendary Eugene Zwane has backed Rulani Mokwena for Orlando Pirates coaching job.
Mokwena, a former Mamelodi Sundowns is currently unattached after parting ways with Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club.
Since then, the young and enterprising head trainer has attracted a lot of offers from Egypt and his native country.
With Orlando Pirates in search of a new trainer following the exit of Jose Riveiro, Mokwena has been strongly linked to the club ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“I agree (that Mokwena has matured), four, five years ago, he was still very young, learning the ropes. I think he has picked up experience over the years,” Zwane told KickOff.com.
“When he was head coach at Sundowns, he was thrown in at the deep end, but I think he handled that very well.
“Aside from the fact that he didn’t win the (CAF) Champions League, it doesn’t mean he didn’t do well (as head coach at Sundowns). You could see his influence in terms of how Sundowns were playing.
“You could see how the players were committed under him. I think he has matured as a coach. You saw at Wydad, coaching an array of big names, doing very well, improving the team’s possession.
“Aside from the fact that he didn’t qualify for the (CAF) Champions League, he did reasonably did well. He is developing his character as a top coach, as a tough coach, as a wily and knowledgeable coach.
“So I think he qualifies to coach any of the big teams in South Africa at the moment,” added the former defender.
