Motsepe gives update on Mokwena contract talks

Although reluctant to discuss the matter publically, the Downs boss hinted the young tactician could still be at Chloorkop beyond the current campaign. 

The two parties are locked in negotiations for a fresh deal, having elevated Mokwena to sole head coach in October last year, a decision proven to be a masterstroke.  

Mokwena helped guide Downs to a record sixth league title with seven games to spare and has led the side to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League for the first time in four years, where they will again face Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca. 

“I don’t think it would be the right thing to speak about a coach’s contract in the public space. But what I will say is we are incredibly proud of the work he does at this football club. He knows that he is loved and appreciated, both by the club and our supporters,” Motsepe told SABC Sport this week. 

When pressed for more information, the Downs boss spoke of his admiration for Mokwena, who returned to the club in 2020 to assist former coach Pitso Mosimane and subsequently took over as co-coach alongside Manqoba Mngqithi.  

“As in business and in life, your contract is something that we want to take care of in the right and correct manner – and we are confident that we will. I don’t think there would be any reason why we wouldn’t want to keep a coach as young, talented and as promising as coach Rulani and as good a human being as he is,” added Motsepe. 

Last week, Mokwena’s agent – Steve Kapeluschnik – told the public broadcaster he’d been getting calls from Morocco, Egypt and Tanzania expressing interest in his client. 

But insisted the coach wanted to stay at Sundowns, and if Motsepe’s comments are anything to go by, then it’s likely there will be an announcement soon.

By Mazola Molefe and Kate Nokwe