Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has reacted to the praise he recently received from the South African football legend Jomo Sono.
Sono, who is an uncle to Mokwena, made some interesting remarks last week about his nephew’s achievements. He lauded Mokwena’s hard work, saying he feels the 36-year-old doesn’t even sleep because of the obsession he has about the game.
Mokwena took charge of Sundowns as sole head coach in October 2022 and steered them to the club’s 13th Premiership title last season.
The 36-year-old tactician also managed to reach last season’s semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. He has also led the side to the group stages of this campaign’s Champions League.
Meanwhile, Sundowns are in line to lift their second trophy under Mokwena’s sole guidance this week. They face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on Saturday, 7 October at 6:00 pm at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
WHAT JOMO SONO SAID ABOUT RULANI MOKWENA
“He was at Cosmos when he was young, and from there he went to school, so we were not that close, but we would discuss football when we met or over the phone,” Sono said, as quoted by SABC Sport.
“I think the difference with him is [that] he’s passionate about football, he’s passionate about coaching. He works so hard, I think he works 24 hours that guy, I don’t think he sleeps.
“I don’t think he’s got a bed, I think his bed is a laptop. He just wants to look at football, new tactics, and blah, blah, blah. You can see the signs of hard work.”
Rulani Mokwena has admitted that he felt extremely humbled and grateful to hear some motivating words from the Jomo Cosmos owner.
He says the Pirates legend set the bar too high for those who are in the football space within the family.
MOKWENA SAYS JOMO SONO SET THE BAR TOO HIGH IN HIS FAMILY
“Where do you even start….his success is enough weight on my shoulders already. So, part of what we are trying to do, of course, as an individual who belongs to a group, is to try to ourselves and myself in particular, to reach a level where I think my family can be proud,” Mokwena told the media after his side’s 2-0 win over Bumamuru at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
“Because of the achievements, particularly from bra J as my uncle, my father and my late grandfather did and their contribution to South African football. They have made things extremely difficult for us, myself, Bamuza (Sono) and the generation that comes as offsprings.
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Royal AM coach gives his verdict on ex-Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu
“I’m just humbled by his words, and he knows that I do not only see him as my uncle and a father to be honest, but also as an Inspiration.
“Everything that he has done from his playing, as a coach, he coached Bafana, he has coached at the World Cup. He has won so many trophies as a coach. So, hearing his words humbles me. Especially from a legend like him.
“And like they say, you only get to see further because you stand on the shoulders of giants. I can only be better by continuing to stand on his shoulder and appreciating the hard work that he’s putting to set up a trailer for us to follow as his kids.
“It’s extremely humbling, and I’m humbled by his words, and more than anything, he’s a role model.”