Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena refused to entertain questioning potentially following in Pitso Mosimane’s footsteps.
Mosimane has engraved himself into African football and Al Ahly history books with his exploits in the CAF Champions League and, while he’s now moved on to Saudi Arabia, he is still held in the highest regard within the Egyptian football fraternity.
It was no surprise when Mokwena, his former assistant and now the main man at Masandawana, was asked if he was following Moismane’s tactical plans and potentially his career path – which took ‘Jingles’ to North Africa and the Gulf region after dominating South African football with Downs.
“No comment, I have big respect for coach Pitso but no comment,” Mokwena said at Al Salam Stadium after the 2-2 draw against the African giants.
“But big respect for him, I was his assistant for a long time – big respect.”
Mokwena was then pressed about the noticeable 4-2-2-2 tactical set-up that’s reminiscent of the Golden Era of the Brazil national football team, which he was also hesitant to discuss in the media ahead of the return leg in Tswhane next month.
“Congratulations to the players for that type of performance, the game belongs to the players as I said, fantastic… talking about the quality of the players, the fight, the spirit, very proud of the players,” Mokwena said.
“As I said, congratulations to the technical staff who worked very hard on this game.”
Sundowns now return to domestic football, where they will face Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup on Thursday and Stellenbosch on Sunday before welcoming Al Ahly for their CAFCL return leg in South Africa on 11 March.
