Pitso Mosimane’s legacy still guiding South African coaches, says Rhulani Mokwena

MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena has spoken openly about the profound impact Pitso Mosimane has had on his coaching career and on how North African football has come to view South African coaches. 

Mokwena and Mosimane worked together during a highly successful era at Mamelodi Sundowns, where they helped build one of the most dominant teams on the African continent. 

After leaving Sundowns in 2024, Mokwena moved up North himself, first joining Wydad Casablanca in Morocco before taking charge of MC Alger, and he believes the path had already been cleared by Mosimane’s achievements.

In an interview with SAFJA, Mokwena said Mosimane’s success during his spell at Al Ahly, particularly his CAF Champions League triumph, played a decisive role in shifting long-standing perceptions in North Africa about the quality of South African coaching. 

He said Mosimane’s achievements went beyond results, arguing that his professionalism, work ethic and conduct demonstrated that South African coaches could thrive in some of the most demanding environments in African football. 

According to Mokwena, Mosimane’s ability to command respect, handle pressure and manage a star-studded dressing room at one of the continent’s biggest clubs proved that coaches from South Africa possessed the necessary qualities to succeed in the region.

Mokwena said Mosimane deserved significant credit for “opening the way” for other South African coaches who would later earn opportunities in North Africa. 

He explained that Mosimane’s tenure at Al Ahly changed how clubs and supporters viewed coaching talent from the south of the continent, breaking a barrier that had existed for many years. 

Mokwena added that he was well placed to understand Mosimane’s influence because he had worked closely with him for several years at Sundowns, gaining firsthand experience of his methods and leadership.

He also spoke about the personal impact Mosimane had on his own development. Mokwena credited Mosimane for promoting him into a senior coaching role at Sundowns and said that opportunity accelerated his growth and shaped much of what he has become as a coach. 

He admitted that he owes a significant part of his professional identity to Mosimane’s mentorship and guidance, and that such influence has contributed to the increased recognition South African coaches now receive in North Africa.

Mokwena’s comments offered a rare moment of vulnerability from a coach known for being guarded in public. 

His acknowledgment of Mosimane’s role underscores the lasting effect the veteran coach has had on shaping opportunities for South African coaches abroad. 

It also highlights the deep connection between their careers, even as their paths have diverged. 

Mokwena’s reflection reinforces Mosimane’s enduring legacy as a pioneering figure whose impact continues to be felt across African football.