Latest news with #Rulani
The South African
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rulani Mokwena: 'Of course I would consider the Orlando Pirates job'
Rulani Mokwena has made a flirtatious comment about one day taking the Orlando Pirates head coaching role. Former Sundowns manager Rulani Mokwena has vacated his post as head coach of Wydad AC. The 38-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to Orlando Pirates, and Rulani isn't doing much to quell those rumours. He served as Josef Zinnbauer's assistant in the 2019-2020 campaign. Orlando Pirates have moved quickly to secure a replacement for the departed Miguel Timm. 23-year-old Masindi 'Confidence' Nemtajela is the man. The all-action schemer made 17 appearances for Gallants in the league last season, scoring once, supplying two assists and picking up four bookings. Click for the story Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Remember the name Prince Ndlovu? Click for the full story After just five months with Qatar SC in Doha, 31-year-old former Brighton, Anderlecht and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Percy Tau is clubless. Tau has four assists from nine appearances in this season's Qatar Stars League. Pirates fans, would you welcome Rulani back at the club? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- General
- The South African
'Sundowns must recall Rulani' Former Kaizer Chiefs star
Former Kaizer Chiefs attacker Junior Khanye has advised Mamelodi Sundowns to bring back Rulani Mokwena. This comes after the Brazilians lost the CAF Champions League final to Pyramids on Sunday. Under Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns only defended the Betway Premiership but failed to win the Nedbank Cup and the Champions League. Mokwena, who was sacked in July, joined Wydad Casablanca but only survived for 10 months. Former Chiefs star Junior Khanye says Sundowns must bring back Rulani and part ways with Cardoso. 'If we can be honest, they signed him [Cardoso] because of the Champions League not because Rulani did anything wrong,' said Khanye on iDiski TV . 'So, they must get rid of him too. For me, I'd go to Rulani and maybe he too can humble himself as he is a free agent, come back and focus on your coaching because you are so talented, you are a genius.' Cardoso's style of play has been criticised, especially in the Champions League, where the club struggles despite reaching the final. Khanye feels Sundowns were playing better under Rulani hence Bafana Bafana's success. 'South Africa needs to hear me well on this one, with this gu,y it's not only Sundowns that benefits but the whole nation. We got to the AFCON because of Sundowns, whether someone doesn't believe this, I don't care because we are there because of Sundowns and Rulani took out the best out of those players. Credit to Pitso [Mosimane] for bringing in Rulani and Rulani for applying himself,: said the former Kaizer Chiefs winger. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
We must lift that trophy
'Right now we are focusing on the Betway Premiership,' said the Sundowns goalkeeper. Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says it is imperative that the side seal an eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title, before turning their attention to lifting the Caf Champions League trophy. ALSO READ: Wydad confirm Rulani exit Masandawana will host Richards Bay on Wednesday evening in the first of eight league games they have left, before taking on Pyramids FC of Egypt in the Champions League final. Sundowns' healthy lead Sundowns hold a nine point lead over Orlando Pirates at the top of the Premiership table, though the Buccaneers do have two games in hand. 'We take every game as it comes and right now we are focusing on the Betway Premiership,' said Onyango. 'We must lift that trophy. When it is time for the Champions League (final) we will shift focus. But every game is a final for us and we hope we can win all our remaining games.' There may be some tired legs in the Sundowns camp after another long season, especially this week, as the side return from a tough battle with Al Ahly in Cairo in the Champions League semifinals. Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, indeed, has criticised South Africa's footballing authorities for scheduling this game so soon after the 1-1 draw at the Cairo International Stadium that took Sundowns to the final on the away goals rule. 'It will be a very difficult game (against Richards Bay), especially after playing in the Champions League and coming back (from Cairo). 'They are a hard running team and fighting for their lives, but we have the quality and must stay focused and get the results.' Relegation battle Richards Bay are indeed fighting for their lives, Papi Zothwane's side currently just three points above 15th-placed Cape Town City and 14th-placed SuperSport United. ALSO READ: Sundowns' heroes return to domestic action The KZN side have, however, won five of their last ten Premiership matches, losing just three and drawing two. Most recently, Thulani Gumede's late strike was enough to give them a vital 1-0 win over Cape Town City on April 18.
The South African
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'We don't need that ego': Orlando Pirates legend not eager for Rulani's return
Orlando Pirates legend Moeneeb Josephs is not keen on having Rulani Mokwena back at the club. The 38-year-old coach is one of the candidates to replace Jose Riveiro, who announced his shock departure from Orlando Pirates at the end of the season. Mokwena has had a stint with the Buccaneers but his stay was short-lived due to poor results. Speaking on Soccerbeat podcast, the former Bafana Bafana keeper felt Rulani was not the perfect fit for Orlando Pirates. 'If we're looking at wanting to bring him back to Orlando Pirates, as good a coach as he is, why would we put on old shoes again? Why would you go back again?' Josephs asked. 'From what I can remember, when he was with us, there were a whole lot of issues, there were tantrums, our supporters weren't too happy as well. 'It was boiling there with him. For me, he left a sour taste in my mouth when he left Orlando Pirates.' Josephs said, although he respects Mokwena as a coach, he felt he might destabilise the good foundation Riveiro laid at the club. 'At Orlando Pirates, we've got this culture that coach Jose has brought. We don't need someone to come and change that culture. We need someone to add to that culture. 'I love him as a coach, but I understand that there's a lot of ego involved, and we don't need that at the moment.' Rulani joining Orlando Pirates is likely given that the 38-year-old coach announced his departure from Wydad Casablanca. Having spent just one season in Morocco, Mokwena has struggled to get the team back to the top. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Audacious Rulani move, two-year deal, R75 million carrot
Orlando Pirates must negotiate a few hurdles if they want to pull off a move for Rulani Mokwena. They've also extended a key player's deal. A deal for Rulani is difficult, but not impossible Outgoing Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro earns roughly half of what Rulani takes home with Wydad AC. Mokwena is unlikely to ease his wage demands, so Pirates would have to significantly increase that number on their balance sheet to secure the 38-year-old tactician's signature. How can they secure those funds? Click for the story Xoki pens a new deal with Orlando Pirates 27-year-old Tapeolo Xoki has been an important member of the Pirates defensive unit this season. Although not always the first choice, his experience as a backup option has been invaluable, especially in the Caf Champions League quarter-finals against MC Alger when Jose Riveiro fielded a back three and he started both of those clashes. Xoki operated alongside the usual first-choice central defensive pairing of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi in those outings. Click for the story Caf Champions League payday The eventual winners of this season's Caf Champions League will take home $4 million (R75 million). That number has grown from $2.5 million in 2022. Orlando Pirates must negotiate a tough second-leg semi-final clash in Egypt against Pyramids after a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the first leg. If they advance to the final, either Mamelodi Sundowns or defending champions Al Ahly await them. Click for the story Foster returns to the promised land Burnley have won promotion to the promised land of the Premier League after guaranteeing a top-two finish in the 2024-2025 Championship table with two games to spare. Lyle Foster made 27 appearances under new boss Scott Parker with two goals and five assists. This was the ultimate response to relegation heartbreak in 2023-2024 when they finished 19th with 24 points. Click for the story Will Pirates battle their way to the Champions League final? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
