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The Mamelodi Sundowns tactician lauded his impact on the club’s players despite the Kenyan international’s career stalling since joining the South African giants
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena has claimed that every player at the club has improved since he took over three years ago.
Mokwena, who lifted his third straight title since taking over, and a first as the head coach, following a 1-1 draw with Maritzburg United on Tuesday, lauded his tactical acumen at the South African giants, saying every member of the expensively assembled squad, including Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela, has improved under him.
“Today is success, champagne, beautiful. Tell me any player at this football club who has not improved,” Mokwena told the media after the match.
“Mention one and that is results aside. Biggest sign of a good coach is to improve the players. Improved Themba Zwane, Sipho Mbule, Neo Maema, Khuliso Mudau, Ronwen Williams, Mothiba Mvala, Sifiso Ngobeni, Terrence Mashego, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokwena, Surprise Ralani, Gaston Sirino, Cassius Mailula, I can continue.
“So, that is enough for me as I have contributed to the careers of those football players so the praise or criticism will not move me.”
While he did not mention Mandela by name, Mokwena’s claim that he has improved everyone at the club goes against what has been seen from the Kenyan international.
If anything, Mandela has stagnated since moving to Masandawana from Maritzburg United three years ago. He might have won his third straight title, and further glory could come in the CAF Champions League, but the 28-year-old has been more of a spectator than a key player.
This season, Mandela has made just 14 appearances for the club, nine in the league, with the other five coming in cup games, but you have to go back to March 18 as the last time he featured for the Brazilians during their 1-1 draw with Sudan’s Al-Hilal in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
Since then, Sundowns have played 12 games in all competitions but Mandela has featured in none. Even after they sealed their sixth straight league title at the start of April, Mokwena has still not deemed it fit to field Mandela in subsequent matches despite being available.
His claims, therefore, that he has improved every player fly in the face given the defender’s plight, even if his stint at the club has also been hampered by injuries.
Heading into the final weeks of the season, Mandela has a big decision to make as he comes at the end of his contract although he has the option of extending it for another year.
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