Tlhopie Motsepe explains why Mamelodi Sundowns parted ways with Rulani Mokwena

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe says the club’s decision to dismiss Rulani Mokwena in July 2024 was driven largely by their failure to win the CAF Champions League.

Mokwena left despite guiding Sundowns to the league title and overseeing a campaign in which the Brazilians suffered only one defeat.

The coach also took the club to the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup finals during that season, but Sundowns lost both matches to Orlando Pirates. Their CAF Champions League run ended in the semi-finals, meaning they again fell short of the continental trophy.

Motsepe said that failure to clear that hurdle was an important consideration when the club decided to make a change in the dugout.

“Yeah, that was a very difficult decision to make for many reasons,” said Motsepe.

He acknowledged the strong relationship Mokwena had built with both the squad and the supporters, while also making clear that his departure was not an emotional decision.

“Rulani was loved by the players. I mean coach Rulani… I even say Rulani because I was very fond of him. But coach Rulani was loved by the players. His style of football was generally appreciated by the supporters as well,” Motsepe said.

Mokwena had previously worked as a co-coach and an individual coach before taking charge in his own role. Motsepe said that progression meant Sundowns already understood what the project could achieve under his leadership.

“And at the time, he had taken the reins, and again, we found ourselves in a situation where we just couldn’t clear that hurdle of the Champions League,” he added.

“And we must bear in mind, he had been a co-coach, then he had been an individual coach, and then he had been in his role.

“So, we already understood the capacity of the project with him as a coach in that particular moment. I think Rulani is a very talented coach and he’s going to go very, very far.”

Motsepe said he and many Sundowns supporters continued to wish Mokwena well, despite the decision to end his tenure.

“And, I like many Sundowns supporters, wish him the best. We really do. Sometimes the very hard decisions, the very hard ones, are the right ones,” he said.

“It’s not emotions that will decide that, and that lesson for me was also one that shaped my leadership.”