‘You can’t be a Father to me’ – Jali breaks silence on Rulani fallout

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfield anchor Andile Jali has finally pulled back the curtain on the breakdown of his relationship with former coach Rulani Mokwena.

Speaking on the Arena Sports Show, the recently retired Bafana Bafana international offered a candid look at why things soured between him and the tactician before his eventual move to Moroka Swallows.

Jali, who finished his career following a brief spell at Chippa United, suggested the tension stemmed from a clash of boundaries rather than footballing ability.

Andile Jali reveals friction behind Rulani Mokwena fallout

According to Jali, the friction began when he felt Mokwena’s management style became overly personal. The veteran midfielder felt that the coach attempted to exert influence over his life in a way that felt patronising.

“Me and him, yeah, we had fun, but at the end, we didn’t have fun,” Jali explained. “Because I saw that he is becoming more to be a father to a person that is old. You can’t be a father to me. I have kids, I have my family, I have a wife.”

Jali emphasised that while he was committed to his professional duties, he felt he had outgrown the need for the kind of paternal guidance Mokwena was offering.

“Now he wants to be my father again. No, he can’t be. I want to work. I can be at work, but you can’t be a father! You want to tell me what to do? I’m old, and I know what to do, I know what not to do.”

The emotional weight of the Sundowns exit

While Jali felt the need for distance, Mokwena—now at the helm of Al Ittihad Tripoli—has previously spoken about the deep personal bonds he shared with the squad. In a previous interview with Robert Marawa, Mokwena highlighted how his departure from Chloorkop in 2024 affected not just the players but their entire support systems.

The coach detailed close ties with the families of stars like Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, and Themba Zwane, noting that the news of his exit led to emotional conversations with wives and children alike.

“When they called me to say thank you but also to ask what is happening, it was very difficult,” Mokwena said at the time. “Coaching is like this. You have to win, and I didn’t win the CAF Champions League even though I am very proud of what we have done.”

While Mokwena’s “family-first” approach clearly resonated with many in the locker room, Jali’s comments suggest that for some senior pros, that same closeness eventually became the catalyst for their departure.