‘Stepping down as Pirates coach was most painful moment in my career’

Former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says he is still hurt by how he left Orlando Pirates in 2019.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has opened up about his departure at Orlando Pirates.

The 38-year-old coach was in charge of the Buccaneers for 13 games in 2019 after the departure of Micho Sredojevic.

After leaving Pirates, Mokwena briefly coached Chippa United before returning to Mamelodi Sundowns as assistant coach.

“I was head coach, but Pirates after 13 games decided they wanted a different coach, someone more experienced,” he told African Five-a-side podcast.

“I don’t talk a lot about it but it was probably the most painful moment in my career, stepping down from Pirates.

Coach Rulani Mokwena on his exit from Pirates

The former Wydad Casablanca admitted he was hurt when Pirates decided to demote him to assistant coach.

“Even though the chairman, Dr. Khoza was insistent of me to stay but how things had happened and many things happened at that time, hurt me a lot, a lot.

“So my career, in that time, I don’t think I was thinking about anything else but being on the pitch and finding happiness for football once again, and I could’ve gone to Black Leopards but it was not possible,” he said.

Mokwena left Pirates to coach Chippa, but his stay at the club was short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Then I got the opportunity to go to Chippa, but it was not even about the club, not even about… It was just about finding love for football again, being on the pitch again and coaching again.

“Because I was worse, and still today I’m deeply scared by what happened, and that’s why I don’t talk a lot about it,” Mokwena said.

Despite his unsuccessful tenure at Pirates, Rulani has had success as a coach at Sundowns and is now helping MC Alger.