Mokwena Excited About ‘Special’ Talent

While Rulani Mokwena didn’t want to get ahead of himself, the Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach has spoken of a very special young talent now training with the first team.

Sundowns were preparing for Saturday afternoon’s fixture against Kaizer Chiefs in the DStv Premiership, and hosted a media day on Thursday.

During the press conference, Mokwena commented about young Thando Nkosi, the former School of Excellence graduate, who Mokwena believes has the potential to become a star.

“There’s an exciting youngster that’s training with us, Thando, he was at the School of Excellence,” Mokwena told journalists this week.

“Special. Ja, he comes from Ratanda, let’s just say he is special. It depends, but extremely (versatile). I can say to you that in the academy he played at School of Excellence, he even played centre back. But in our academy he played as an eight, he played as a ten. He played even as a false nine.

“But, but ja, we have to also guard against making the same mistakes we’ve made in the past like overhyping players, and especially the young ones and give them time, give them opportunities to learn, to keep their feet on the ground, to stay focused.

“And that’s why I don’t want to talk too much about him. Because I don’t want him to be overly exposed to the media, because you know what starts to happen. And then, of course, because he comes from the East Rand, you’ve got to be very careful. We know what happens with players from that side.

“Although they just seem to produce very, very good players, it looks like it’s the Rio de Janeiro of South African football.”

In this week’s  edition of iDiski Times we catch up with former Mamelodi Sundowns star Sibusiso Vilakazi as he talks about his ups and downs with the Brazilians, as well as his ambitions with TS Galaxy. We also hear from the newly appointed Chippa United coach, Daine Klate, who reveals what type of football he wants his team to play, and why he decided to take on one of the hottest seats in PSL coaching. There are also interviews with Kaitano Tembo andJerry Tshabalala, as well as a preview of the highly anticipated battle between Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns this weekend. Get this and more in the full edition of iDiski Times below: