Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena has shut down rumours he could join Kaizer Chiefs, insisting Nasreddine Nabi deserved credit for winning the Nedbank Cup.
Mokwena, 38, is currently without a job and told this publication in an exclusive interview in this week’s iDiski Times’ e-paper that he is waiting for the right opportunity to return to the dugout.
He has been linked with a host of clubs, from Orlando Pirates, who are currently without a head coach to Pyramids FC and Zamalek, and some supporters have called for him to join the Amakhosi.
However, he dismissed that talk, saying he cannot comment on rumours linking him to Chiefs with Nabi in charge, and deserving more credit in his eyes.
“It can’t be about Kaizer Chiefs because they’ve got a coach,” Mokwena told Robert Marawa on Marawa Sports Worldwide when asked whether he could take over the Glamour Boys.
“And I think coach Nabi has, I’ve said it and I’ll say it again, I’ve spent some time now, because I’ve missed South African football, and I’m using this time to catch-up, so I’m watching a lot of South African games – I’ve finished the whole competition of the Nedbank Cup.
“And I must say that I was really impressed with how Kaizer Chiefs went on to win the Nedbank Cup, beating Stellenbosch, beating Sundowns, beating Pirates – at a time when there was a lot of noise, a lot of doubts, a lot of pressure on the coach and his staff, and to do that is not very easy.
“Of course it’s a great a club, it’s of course got the pressure of doing well also in the domestic league but I think that winning the Nedbank Cup and delivering the first title [in 10 years], and the way they did it, not only just winning it but the way they did it, beating other big teams, I think coach Nabi has earned credit.
“Sometimes as coaches we need that, we need credit sometimes. And I think he’s earned the credit to be given an opportunity to continue to resurrect Kaizer Chiefs.”
There is an exclusive interview with Mokwena in this week’s iDiski Times e-paper, where he talks about his future, Thembinkosi Lorch, Elias Mokwana, Miguel Cardoso and the Club World Cup. Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
