Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has no doubts over Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena’s future as a coach. The former Chiefs hardman calls him an intelligent mentor and according to Katsande, Mokwena’s doubters “do not understand football.” Katsande has given his backing to Mokwena, who is being criticized on social media, despite Sundowns success, for alleged copying Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola’s tactics.
Mokwena, 35, was named a sole head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns in October after the club restructured its technical team.
The former Orlando Pirates coach has already won four games upon his appointment, including a spectacular 4-0 win over Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup. Katsande believes Mokwena will change the state of football in the country through his tactics.
“People who laugh and criticize Rulani do not know and understand football. The young man is trying to change our football, but people laugh at him,” Katsande told ThisIsFootball.Africa.
“He understands this game, he is a true modern coach, and he knows the game inside and out. I don’t think what people are doing to him is good. How can you derail his progress while he’s trying to change the game?
“Okay, even if people can call him Pep lite, it is fine, but he’s copying good things. There is nothing wrong in copying from someone who does things better than you. He is copying something that will change South African football. He is an intelligent coach.
“Look at African teams in the World Cup, they concede many goals because there is no plan. Rhulani is trying to develop Downs in a way that can make everybody to adjust in the right direction to get to higher standards. He’s a modern coach. He pays attention to every important detail.”
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