By Linda Ximba
Change is in the air in Pretoria as Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has announced plans to shake up his technical team.
The claim has cast doubt over the future’s first team assistant Steve Komphela and senior coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Mokwena was promoted to head coach in October last year and it seems he wants to stamp his authority on the team by rearranging the coaching set-up.
It seems changes have already been made as fitness and conditioning coach Riedoh Berdien and assistant goalkeeper coach Marcus Mashilo were released from the team’s training camp in Polokwane last week.
The imminent changes have cast doubt about the future of Komphela and Mngqithi.
Interestingly, Mngqithi told Scrolla.Africa that it was their collective decision to bring Komphela on board from Golden Arrows.
This happened before their DStv Premiership clash last Friday in Pretoria against Orlando Pirates which they comfortably won 2-0.
Mokwena admitted that Berden and Mashilo were excused but denied they were fired.
“It is normal in any football club that when a head coach is appointed there are technical changes. The club has given me the support for which I am grateful and my duty is to repay that,” he said post-match.
Mokwena says he needs a strong team.
“Part of that is to understand I need a strong team around me because I cannot do it alone. In the interim that means moving in a direction the club wants to move in.”
Mokwena says the club will make the necessary announcements when the time is right.
Mokwena has also revealed there will be player movements during the forthcoming transfer window during the month of January.
Some are expected to be loaned out while those struggling to get game time could see their contracts terminated.
Pictured above: Sundowns coaching trio Rulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithin and Steve Komphela
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
