Former Kaizer Chiefs star Junior Khanye has revealed the real reason behind Rulani Mokwena’s departure from Mamelodi Sundowns.
The coaching unit parted ways with the team despite winning the seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title and securing their first-ever African Football League title.
Khanye attributed Mokwena’s exit to Sundowns’ poor performances in a number of competitions. He said such included the team losing to Orlando Pirates in the final game of the Nedbank Cup, as well as an early exit from the Champions League, which did not sit well with the DStv Premiership side’s hierarchy.
Sundowns won their historic seventh consecutive title under the 37-year-old, losing just one match and scoring 73 points in the just-concluded 2023/2024 season.
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However, Khanye has suggested that the club hierarchy expected more from the team. He said, as per iDiski Times:
“There are expectations at Sundowns especially when it comes to the Champions League. Even the last trophy that he lost to Pirates is what cost him.“I believe the technical director had a problem with Rulani Mokwena because when Rulani was still there they signed players like Zungu.
“Rulani also kept a player like Sirino because he knew his capabilities.
“I’ll be honest I feel that the technical director had a hand in this but not winning the Champions League and not getting to the final was an issue.”
Also, Khanye suggested that Mokwena’s differences with the club’s sporting director, Flemming Berg, over player transfers and squad management contributed to his departure. Mokwena was reportedly unhappy with the way players were being brought in and out of the club, which led to tensions with Berg.
However, despite his success in the league, Mokwena’s failure to deliver in the Champions League and the Nedbank Cup ultimately cost him his job.
