Sundowns chairman Motsepe explains Mokwena’s new contract

After announcing that Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has been rewarded with a new four-year contract, chairman Tlhopie Motsepe has explained why they took that decision.

Motsepe praised Mokwena after guiding the club to their sixth DStv Premiership trophy in a row in the most recent season and explains the coach’s new contract.

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There was speculation regarding Mokwena’s future at Sundowns as reports also surfaced that he was being courted by North African clubs.

However, Sundowns decided to tie Mokwena down for a lengthy period with a new contract as he will be expected to challenge for the CAF Champions League.

MOTSEPE EXPLAINS MOKWENA’S NEW CONTRACT

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The Brazilians, as Sundowns are known, announced the coach’s new bumper contract on Tuesday and Motsepe called Mokwena the brightest leader and that is why he opted to reward him.

Mokwena, 36, became the sole head coach in October 2022 after a technical team shake-up and he remains unbeaten in the DStv Premiership since taking over.

The former Orlando Pirates mentor, Mokwena helped Sundowns to win the title with seven games to spare.

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Despite failing to win the Nedbank Cup and the lucrative CAF Champions League as he reached the Last Eight and semi-final, Motsepe insisted the young and ambitious coach is the right fit for the club.

“Our head coach Rulani Mokwena has agreed to a four-year extension with the football club and what this means is we will have four more years of success, four more years of hard work and dedication, of joy, trophies, and wonderful memories with the yellow nation,” Motsepe told the club’s media team.

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“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, but on top of that he is talented, he does have the ability to be a great coach, but he doesn’t take that for granted.

“That’s why I believe he is such a great fit for the club because our motto says ‘the sky is the limit’. And we want to provide that opportunity to all people who come into this football club – that you come here and work hard enough, there shouldn’t be a limit you can achieve.

“We have a leader on the pitch, who matches our philosophy. He is daring, he is bold, but more than anything he wants to inspire through his craft, through the football and that’s what we want to do as well.”

MOKWENA PRAISES SUNDOWNS FOR SHOWING HIM LOVE

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While a number of local clubs will be gunning to challenge and attempt to stop Sundowns’ dominance, Mokwena is confident he will bring more trophies.

He praised the club for showing him love and that he will strive to bring more silverware to the club starting in the upcoming season.

“You know you are loved, you know you are appreciated. I look in the eyes of my players every single day and I know there is still more to be done,” said Mokwena.

“Because of that feeling, I felt the need to put myself in service of this incredible institution once more and try to achieve more and win more trophies.

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“The love and the warmth that I receive also from the supporters… As a servant of this football club, I’ve grown to love the club and I’ve grown to become not just somebody who has a lot of years, a lot of hours, blood, sweat, tears… I now have to prove my loyalty and love for this football club and the big responsibility of leading the club in this moment, where I feel the privilege.

“I also have to thank the supporters for loving me, to making me feel appreciated and welcome. When we lose I suffer just as much and because I live and breathe their emotions, when we win I’m just as happy. This is what makes this club a very special and important football club.”

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