Rhulani Mokwena’s Remarkable Start: A Comparison to Pitso Mosimane
Introduction
Rhulani Mokwena, the young and dynamic head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has taken the Premier Soccer League (PSL) by storm.
His record-breaking start has drawn comparisons to the legendary Pitso Mosimane, who previously led Sundowns to numerous domestic and continental titles.
In this article, we delve into Mokwena’s achievements and compare them to Mosimane’s tenure.
Mokwena’s Unprecedented Feat
Mokwena recently made headlines by becoming the first coach in PSL history to win all 11 of his first league games in charge at a top-flight club.
This remarkable achievement surpassed even Mosimane’s initial stint with Sundowns, where he managed four wins, five draws, and two defeats in his first 11 matches.
A Better Win Rate Than Mosimane
In the 2012/13 season, Mosimane’s first tenure as Sundowns coach, he achieved a win rate of 36.36% in his first 11 games.
In contrast, Mokwena has surpassed that with an impressive win rate in his initial matches.
The 36-year-old has been the sole head coach for nine of those wins, setting a new record for the most successful start to a head-coaching career at the club – something not even the great Pitso Mosimane was able to achieve.
Other Notable Coaches
Stuart Baxter, the last Kaizer Chiefs coach to lift silverware for the club, enjoyed a similar record to that of Mokwena during the 2014/15 season.
The Scotsman secured 10 wins and just one draw in his first 11 matches during Chiefs’ rampaging campaign.
Similarly, Ernst Middendorp, another former Kaizer Chiefs coach, had a stellar start to the 2019/20 campaign, with just one defeat and one draw, along with an impressive nine wins in his first 11 matches.
Conclusion
While Pitso Mosimane remains a legendary figure in South African football, Rhulani Mokwena’s record-breaking start as Sundowns’ head coach has been nothing short of extraordinary.
As he continues to lead the team, fans eagerly await more milestones and achievements under his guidance.
Whether Mokwena can maintain this level of success remains to be seen, but for now, he has etched his name in PSL history alongside the best coaches in the league.