Themba Zwane downplays ‘drama’ in Rulani Mokwena reunion

Mamelodi Sundowns veteran midfielder Themba Zwane has moved to quell expectations of high drama when Masandawana lock horns with their former coach, Rulani Mokwena, in the CAF Champions League group stages.

Following the draw, which placed Sundowns in Group C alongside Mokwena’s MC Alger, FC St Eloi-Lupopo, and Al Hilal SC, Zwane offered a warm and respectful take on the anticipated reunion. Despite the tactical battles ahead, the influential midfielder insists the personal rivalry will be minimal.

“I think there won’t be too much drama [against Mokwena], he has done so much for the club,” Zwane said after the draw in Randburg.

The clash against MC Alger will be the first time Sundowns have faced Mokwena since his departure at the end of the 2023/24 season. Mokwena enjoyed a highly successful tenure as the sole head coach at Downs from 2022 to 2024, securing two league titles and leading the club to victory in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) in 2023.

For many players, including Zwane, Mokwena’s time represented a period of immense personal and collective growth. Zwane, who arguably played some of his best career football under the tactician, was quick to acknowledge the coach’s lasting impact.

“Obviously, we like him; he’s a good human being and a good coach. I mean, as players, we’ve learned a lot from him when he was here. We’re going to welcome him with good hands,” Zwane added, emphasising the mutual respect that remains between the squad and their former mentor.

The Road to Redemption For Rulani Mokwena against Themba Zwane’s side

Mokwena’s return is set against Sundowns’ relentless pursuit of a second continental star, having won their first Champions League title in 2016. Last season, the Tshwane side fell agonisingly short, losing the final 3-1 on aggregate to Egypt’s Pyramids FC.

Having started their current campaign with a dominant 7-1 aggregate win over Remo Stars in the preliminary round, the mandate for Masandawana is clear: top the group and secure passage to the knockout stages. To do that, they must overcome the tactical familiarity presented by Mokwena’s MC Alger, alongside the challenges posed by FC St Eloi-Lupopo and Al Hilal SC.

Despite the difficult task, Zwane’s comments suggest that the focus remains strictly on the competitive challenge, free from any personal animosity or melodrama.