‘I Could Not Suppress That Talent’ - Pitso Mosimane Hails ‘Best Student’ Rulani Mokwena After First Trophy in Algeria

Veteran coach Pitso Mosimane is delighted that his protégé Rulani Mokwena continues to show why he had so much faith in him.

Mokwena is celebrating his first trophy in Algeria after guiding his MC Alger to the Algerian Super Cup trophy following a 1-0 victory over bitter rivals USM Alger on Saturday.

Reacting to the win, Mosimane was excited that Mokwena, who he gave a chance as one of his assistants at Mamelodi Sundowns at a time when many questioned his decision, has been doing well and feels he will come to prove that the 39-year-old is so good that he will even better his legacy.

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“When I recruited him [Mokwena] from our U19 team to be my assistant at the Senior Team, one journalist asked me to justify my decision,” Mosimane posted on X.

“I only told him that, with time, Rulani will be better than me. There was silence in that media room and few people doubted (even within the team) and did not understand and foresee all what I see. The worst part was again justifying my decision to recruit him back in my technical team after Chippa United fired him.”

Moismane says Mokwena has already shown his coaching talents and feels he will become even better with time given his young age.

“I could not suppress that talent that few knew about. End of the story, you can track his journey up to date! One day he will be back in SA to share and support the experience that he is currently gathering,” he added.

Mokwena was plucked from the Sundowns junior team by Mosimane and made one of his assistants alongside Manqoba Mngqithi between 2014 and 2017 after which he left for Orlando Pirates where he served as assistant and then interim coach from 2017-2020.

He would be hired by Chippa United as head coach in March 2020 but lasted just a few months before he lost his job with Mosimane bringing him back to Sundowns that year.

When Mosimabe left Sundowns in September 2020, Mokwena and Mngqithi were made co-coaches before the former was elevated to head coach, and was lauded for implementing an exciting style of play as the club won back-to-back league titles.

Mokwena left Sundowns in July 2024 and has since worked in Morocco with Wydad Athletic Club and is now leading Algerian champions MC Alger, having joined the club ahead of this season.