Mokwena happy to be back at Sundowns

The presence of so many familiar faces made it feel “normal” coming back to his first training session as an assistant coach again of Mamelodi Sundowns, Rulani Mokwena said.

Mokwena was back in Sundowns’ technical staff‚ and the position he filled when the team won the 2016 Caf Champions League‚ and part of his first training session on Friday at the Brazilians’ training camp at Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg.

“It felt normal in the sense that these were family members who only temporarily we were distant from each other‚ for a couple of years‚” the Downs’ assistant coach said.

“But I’ve come back to a very familiar environment with a lot of familiar faces.

“And an environment that has continued to keep its ethos of professionalism‚ hard work success and the drive to want to be the most competitive‚ the most successful‚ and the No 1 club not only in SA but Africa.

“It feels good‚ and I’m humbled that the opportunity presented itself.

“And I’ve got to take this opportunity also to thank the president [Patrice Motsepe]‚ who’s always been a father figure and someone who has always maintained very good relations with me‚ even when I left Mamelodi Sundowns.

“And also the head coach  [Pitso Mosimane]‚ who has taught me so much with regards to what it is to be a good coach‚ and has continued to demonstrate his qualities by winning trophies and dominating South African football.”

Mokwena said he felt at ease at his first session.

“Because there are a lot of familiar faces like Hlompho Kekana‚ Denis Onyango‚ Themba Zwane and Kennedy Mweene.”

Mokwena left Sundowns to join Orlando Pirates as an assistant in August 2017 and was loaned to Chippa United in March. — TimesLIVE