Rulani’s lingering scars: Why the Pirates exit was his toughest loss

Rulani Mokwena is, without question, one of South African football’s brightest managerial talents. His journey from a promising assistant to a top-tier head coach has been remarkable, yet it is shadowed by a personal heartache he rarely discusses: his tumultuous departure from Orlando Pirates.

Currently steering Algerian heavyweights MC Alger, Mokwena’s career trajectory is on an upward curve. However, in a recent candid conversation, he revealed the emotional cost of his brief, dramatic stint with the Soweto giants—a club deeply woven into his family’s history.

The Inevitable Call to Soweto For Rulani Mokwena

Mokwena’s coaching ascent began in 2014 as a trusted member of Pitso Mosimane’s technical team at Mamelodi Sundowns. This partnership culminated in the glorious 2016 CAF Champions League triumph, establishing Mokwena’s credentials on the continent.

Given his profound connections to the Buccaneers—his father (Julius Sono), uncle (Jomo Sono), and grandfather (Scara Sono) all being legends of the club—it felt like destiny when Orlando Pirates brought him on board in 2017 as an assistant coach.

By 2019, he was thrust into the head coach role. What should have been a dream-come-true moment quickly devolved into a nightmare. After a short, rocky run, Mokwena was abruptly moved to Chippa United, signalling an end to his tenure at the helm.

“Deeply Scarred” – Rulani Mokwena

Reflecting on that period, Rulani Mokwena admitted the experience was intensely painful. “I don’t talk a lot about this, but it is probably the most painful moment in my career—stepping down from Pirates,” Mokwena shared on the African Five-a-side podcast.

He acknowledged the role of the club’s chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, but the circumstances surrounding his exit were too much to bear. “Even though the chairman, Dr Khoza, was insisting I should stay, but how things had happened… and may things happened at that time – hurt me a lot.”

The shock of the situation led him to seek a new beginning, anywhere that would allow him to rediscover his passion for the game. His subsequent move to Chippa United wasn’t about the status of the club, but a desperate need for sanctuary on the pitch.

“It was not even about the club, it was just about finding love and passion in football on the pitch and coaching again,” he explained. The sting of the Pirates exit remains acute to this day. “Still today, I am deeply scarred by what happened, and that’s why I don’t talk about it.”

Ultimately, the difficult detour led him back to Mamelodi Sundowns, setting the stage for his current international success. However, the emotional toll of his time at Orlando Pirates remains the one chapter that tested his resolve more than any other.