Rulani Mokwena breaks silence on Sundowns ‘spy’ scandal

The homecoming of Rulani Mokwena was always destined to be cinematic, but the script has taken a dark, litigious turn. On the eve of a do-or-die CAF Champions League clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the MC Alger head coach found himself defending his integrity rather than discussing his starting XI.

The subtext of Saturday’s fixture is already heavy: Mokwena returns to face the club that abruptly parted ways with him, with both sides fighting for survival in Group C.

However, the narrative shifted from the pitch to the courtroom this week following sensational allegations that Mamelodi Sundowns analyst Mario Masha—who has since been suspended—leaked confidential tactical data to his former boss.

‘I Don’t Take Shortcuts’ – Rulani Mokwena

Addressing a packed press conference on Friday, a defiant Mokwena dismissed the notion that his preparations for Sundowns relied on “inside jobs.”

“Let me state this clearly: Mario has not given me any tactical or confidential information about Sundowns,” Mokwena asserted. “At no point—and I repeat, at no point—were current Sundowns tactical plans or confidential material shared with me.”

Mokwena clarified that while communication did exist, it was centered on professional development and Masha’s pursuit of UEFA licenses. He described their dialogue as an exchange of “methodologies” and “European examples,” specifically referencing tactical blueprints from clubs like Manchester City, rather than the internal workings of Chloorkop.

A Question of Ethics and Privacy

Beyond the tactical denial, Mokwena took aim at the methods used to implicate Masha. Reports suggest the allegations are rooted in leaked WhatsApp screenshots from a private account—a move Mokwena signaled could have legal ramifications.

Integrity: Mokwena defended Masha as a “hard-working professional and family man,” stating he would never ask a colleague to compromise their career for a competitive edge.

Legal Warning: He pointedly referenced South African law, citing the Constitution, RICA, and the Cybercrime Act, which protect against the unlawful distribution of private data.

Respect for Process: Despite his frustrations, Mokwena noted he would limit further comment to avoid interfering with Sundowns’ internal investigations.

While the “Spy-gate” scandal dominates the headlines, the mathematical reality for Mamelodi Sundowns is grim. The Tshwane giants are currently reeling from a winless streak that has left them in third place:After a shock 2-1 loss to Al Hilal and a lackluster draw against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo, Sundowns must win on Saturday to leapfrog Mokwena’s side and secure a spot in the knockout stages. For Mokwena, a draw or a win would not only see MC Alger through but would serve as the ultimate “I told you so” to his former employers.

“Any suggestion that we rely on leaked information disrespects this great club [MC Alger] and our professionalism,” Mokwena concluded. “We prepare through intelligence and hard work, never through shortcuts.”