Kaizer Chiefs FC are indeed a sleeping giant and it will take a special coach to awaken them.
One coach who’s making waves on the continent is South Africa’s very own Rulani Mokwena.
Mokwena is showing his class in Algeria where he takes charge of runaway premier side MC Alger.
It’s debatable whether you can put Mokwena into the top tier of African coaches just yet, but one thing that’s for sure is that he knows his craft.
Would Mokwena coach Kaizer Chiefs?
According to an insider at Kaizer Chiefs, it’s not possible for the Amakhosi to land Mokwena as their next head coach.
This is due to the longstanding rivalry between the Amakhosi and neighbours Orlando Pirates. Remember, Mokwena is the grandson of a Pirates legend in Eric Sono. He’s also the son of former Pirates player Julius Sono and the nephew of the legendary Buccaneer Jomo Sono.
“There’s no Rulani going to Chiefs. No, it will never happen. Even Rulani is not thinking about it. Rulani is a Pirate. Rulani’s team is Pirates. Even his father, they would disown him if you ask. Rulani will never come to Kaizer Chiefs. It’s not even football. Rulani himself is not interested in that. He won’t take that. You see both sides,” an insider told Soccer Laduma.
Mokwena’s coaching journey
Mokwena has held five lead coaching roles in the past six years. He was given his big break by Orlando Pirates in 2019 however his maiden stint didn’t go according to plan.
Mokwena then coached Chippa United however there too he struggled to live up to the promise. It was when he returned to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022 where he finally delivered. He enjoyed an underwhelming spell at Wydad Casablanca before joining MC Alger where he’s again showing his class.
With a move to Kaizer Chiefs reportedly off the table, the Glamour Boys are expected to announce another heavyweight coach next year. Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have been tipped to be replaced at the end of the season.