Rulani Mokwena has always mastered the art of stepping out of the crowd and people’s shadows to make things about himself. That’s why his homecoming to Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend couldn’t have been more intriguing.
Born Into Football Royalty — But Choosing His Own Path
Born into a football family, Mokwena is the son of Julius “KK” Sono, making him the nephew of Ephraim “Jomo” Sono and the grandson of Eric “Scara” Sono.
Yet, amid all that rich football heritage on his paternal side, he decided from an early age to step aside and stick to his maternal surname, carving a name for himself through coaching instead of playing football.
Hard work, focus, and determination took him from the grounds of Royal Bafokeng, where the now-defunct Platinum Stars trained, to Chloorkop, the home of one of the biggest clubs in South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns.
At Sundowns, Mokwena continued to sharpen his coaching skills in the youth ranks, playing a significant role in unlocking the potential and shaping the careers of players such as Percy Tau.
Learning Under A Master: The Mosimane Era
His work did not go unnoticed, catching the eye of the Brazilians’ then-senior coach, Pitso Mosimane, who roped him into the senior structures as his second assistant alongside Manqoba Mngqithi.
Under Mosimane’s watchful eye, Mokwena grew and evolved with the game. The duo enjoyed incredible success, including winning the team’s first — and still only — CAF Champions League crown.
However, Mokwena showed he was not yet ready to be his “own man” when he struggled during a stint as interim coach at his childhood club, Orlando Pirates.
But such has been his ability not to rush, but to trust the process. When Mosimane recalled him to the club, he heeded the call — a move that endeared him further to the club and the Yellow Nation.
The Co-Coaching Experiment And Sole Ascension
Following Mosimane’s departure, he finally got a taste of being the club’s head coach after the failed “co-coaching method” alongside Mngqithi.
His sole ascension to the throne was regarded as premature, but still, it was another defining moment for Mokwena, who revolutionised the team’s style of play, making them difficult to beat both at home and on the continent.
His full season ended with African Football League and Premiership titles — their only blemish being a single defeat in the league. Yet, in one of the more bizarre moves in local football, the club sacked him.
Tears, Shock, And Questions After The Dismissal
Unable to contain his disappointment, Mokwena wept on national radio, revealing the shock his dismissal had caused among the players.
The impact he had on his squad — some of whom were older than him — became evident as the club’s style of play regressed, with reports suggesting that Mngqithi abandoned many of the team’s ideologies established under Mokwena.
North Africa Beckons: The Wydad And Alger Chapter
His name was clearly being discussed in top football boardrooms across the continent. He was eventually approached by African giants Wydad Casablanca.
In Casablanca, his star continued to rise, almost reawakening the sleeping giant. However, the club’s financial woes led to his undoing, as he neither finished the season nor coached at the Club World Cup, where he was set for a meeting with his idol, Pep Guardiola.
Still, Mokwena’s reputation continued to spread across the continent. As a result, he returned to North Africa this season, joining MC Alger, where he hit the ground running domestically — leading the team to the top of the log so far and securing their first domestic cup success.
It was the prospect of competing in the Champions League that initially enticed Mokwena to take up the project.
A High-Stakes Reunion In The Champions League
After five matches in Group C of the CAF Champions League, Mokwena and Alger sit second with seven points — one behind log leaders Al Hilal and one ahead of Sundowns.
He could hardly have dreamed of a better test than facing Mamelodi Sundowns in the final group-stage match, where they must at least draw — or win — to progress.
Achieving that feat would be bittersweet. Sundowns would suffer their first group-stage exit since 2018 — signalling regression since Mosimane and Mokwena left the helm.
Allegations, Suspensions And Scrutiny
His potential success has also been clouded by allegations that he received training information and analysis from Sundowns analyst Mario Masha.
While Masha has denied the claims and has been suspended pending investigation, the controversy has also placed Mokwena’s sportsmanship under scrutiny ahead of the decisive clash.
There is no time to sulk. Mokwena must do what is required: break the hearts of his former players and the Masandawana faithful and steer MC Alger into the knockout stage.
Sundowns, now under Miguel Cardoso after replacing Mngqithi, have struggled for consistency. For the first time in years, they enter the final group-stage match with progression under serious threat.
The Ultimate “Own Man” Moment
Mokwena will not walk into Loftus Versfeld eager to rekindle old relationships — even on Valentine’s Day — but determined to remind everyone how far hard work has taken him.
It would have been ideal to return under less pressure. But this is the ultimate test of the philosophy that has defined his journey: being his own man, rather than leaning on a famous surname.
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