Time for Rulani Mokwena to let bygones be bygones at Mamelodi Sundowns

Comment by Herman Gibbs

Rulani Mokwena has been unable to resist the temptation to rail against Flemming Berg’s role in his bombshell exit from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Although bound by a non-disclosure agreement, Mokwena has on occasion made it known that his toxic relationship with Berg – the club’s sporting director – was the major factor that “forced” him to leave Sundowns.

In a radio interview with Metro FM this week, Mokwena said coaches, rather than sporting directors, should be responsible for hiring and firing players.

Mokwena has previously said he and Berg disagreed about signing and releasing players.

According to Mokwena’s uncle, the great Jomo Sono, Mokwena signing Thembinkosi Lorch incurred the wrath of Berg, who felt the former Pirates player would not be a good investment because of his age.

Thereafter, Mokwena no longer had a say in the transfers and recruitment of players. Days later, he told the media he did not have the power to stop Bafana Bafana international Bongani Zungu from leaving the club.

During the radio interview, Mokwena explained why coaches should not be excluded from recruitment processes: “It is difficult for a coach to be accountable and not responsible. That’s what happens in football all over the world.

“It is the coach who needs to be accountable for the results. It’s the coach who gets fired if the team loses.”

This explanation was a veiled attempt to take a swipe at Berg, who had taken away the coach’s recruitment powers.

It was ironic that Berg felt he could no longer trust Mokwena. In October 2022, Berg decided that Mokwena should be the sole head coach instead of a co-coach with Manqoba Mngqithi. Steve Komphela was also given a lesser role and served under Mokwena.

Coach 𝐑𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐢 is here 😎#DimaWydad pic.twitter.com/xzjmXvqX1i

— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) July 12, 2024

Although the SA media keep probing him on his Sundowns exit, Mokwena should move on.

Masandawana gave him a wonderful opportunity and massive support to keep the club’s flag flying in various competitions.

He should be thankful that Berg had given him a chance, which contributed to his development as a coach who could be appointed by one of Africa’s biggest clubs.

Morocco’s Wydad AC are three-time CAF Champions League champions. They have been among Africa’s top 10 clubs for many years.

Mokwena is now working in a country with a Fifa world ranking of 11, a rare honour for a South African coach.

The experienced Berg contributed to Mokwena’s burgeoning career by giving him a prized squad that won the Premiership twice during his time as head coach.

While Mokwena was at the helm, Sundowns also won the inaugural edition of the African Football League in October last year.

What Mokwena might not know is that he benefited greatly from Berg’s input at the club.

Berg was the head of elite football development at the Danish Football Association for seven years. During his tenure, numerous talented Danish players found their way into Europe’s best leagues.

Berg was particularly effective at recruiting foreigners from South American countries. Last season, players like Chilean Marcelo Allende and Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro Costa featured regularly as match-winners for Mokwena’s team.

Mokwena needs to focus on the task at hand, and not be distracted by feelings of being hard done by at Sundowns.

He would do well to heed the words of Nelson Mandela: “Let bygones be bygones.”