Highly-rated mentor Rhulani Mokwena has made the big switch from Mamelodi Sundowns to Orlando Pirates.
The Buccaneers announced on Thursday that Mokwena will join them as an assistant coach to new boss Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic, who replaced Kjell Jonevret last week.
Mokwena has achieved great success as part of Sundowns’ technical team under Pitso Mosimane since 2014, including the Caf Champions League title.
Orlando Pirates Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Rhulani Mokwena as the Assistant Coach. https://t.co/SH9DuS314N
— Orlando Pirates FC (@Orlando_Pirates) August 10, 2017
But now his move to Pirates could be seen as a pathway for him to become the head coach one day by following in Sredojevic’s footsteps.
“Mokwena is known for not shirking responsibility. The Orlando Pirates head coach Milutin Sredojevic recommended that Mokwena join Orlando Pirates as his Assistant Coach. Sredojevic said, ‘Rhulani’s approach to tasks is done in a commitment that is noteworthy. I am pleased that he accepted the challenge’,” the club said in a statement.
Muicho: "Rhulani's approach to tasks is done in a commitment that is noteworthy. I'm pleased he accepted the challenge." pic.twitter.com/r9VXQChDHm
— Orlando Pirates FC (@Orlando_Pirates) August 10, 2017
Mokwena said: “I thank the (Sundowns) president Mr Patrice Motsepe and the coach Pitso Mosimane for not only providing me with an opportunity, I thank them for the grace with which they accepted and supported my acceptance of the Orlando Pirates challenge.”