Speculation abounds in local football as Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena continues to make cryptic comments about feeling unappreciated by the club despite his incredible success since he became head coach.
Mokwena led Sundowns to a seventh successive league title with six games to spare as well as the African Football League trophy and qualified for the Nedbank Cup final. But it seems that these achievements have not garnered the recognition and respect that he believes he deserves.
Siya sources believe that Mokwena's repeated assertions of feeling unappreciated may be his way of hinting that the club might be considering effecting coaching changes.
"I don't feel appreciated," said Mokwena recently. "I don't think the amount of investment and sacrifice we give is appreciated. I wish to dedicate this league title and big victory (5-0 over Kaizer Chiefs) to our chairman Tlhopi Motsepe, because he is an unbelievable human being."
According to Siya sources, elimination by Esperance in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League appears to have not gone down well within management who expected him to sail through the hurdle after getting eliminated at the same stage last year as well.
Siya sources added that Mokwena feels that except for chairman (Tlhopi Motsepe) others do not seem to appreciate his overall contributions.
If he is unappreciated, it could be due to the failure to win the CAF Champions League for the second successive year.
"I just got a four-year contract here and all I'm asking from the Sundowns fans is give me four years to try and win (the CAF Champions League). I'm not asking for eight years."
Siya sources interpreted Mokwena's emotional statement as a subtle hint that management might indeed be considering coaching changes. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the direction of the seemingly shaky relationship and where the wind is blowing.
At a press conference leading up to the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates, Mokwena dismissed the talks that he was under pressure.
"The other day Shupi (Nkadimeng) came to me and said 'someone from the media says coach Rulani is under pressure' but no one can put pressure on me because I put more pressure on myself than anybody else. If I'm under pressure then what about the people that are 23 points behind us?"
