Mamelodi Sundowns: What happened at Masandawana after Mokwena’s exit?

Published on by Willis Sob

Afrik-Foot focuses on the Brazilians and how the club is coping up following the 37-year-old left.

Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns anticipated an extended partnership with  Rulani Mokwena when he signed an improved four-year deal a year ago.

However, the tactician parted ways with Masandawana after reportedly falling out with the Sporting Director Flemming Berg. Each was keen on having a say on which player to join the team and who to be released.

Since the 37-year-old's exit to Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club, there have been many changes at the club.

Komphela returns, Folz introduced

Sundowns senior coach Komphela reacts to draw against Cardiff City
Steve Komphela – Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

After Mokwena's exit, his assistant Manqoba Mngqithi was given the mandate to manage the Brazillians.

It goes without saying that the 53-year-old has a tough assignment to ensure he successfully defends the Premier Soccer League crown and makes an impact in the elusive Caf Champions League.

However, to achieve that, the Masandawana management re-hired Steve Komphela who had left a season earlier to join Moroka Swallows and eventually Golden Arrows. Komphela had served as the club's assistant coach alongside Mngqithi.

The 34-year-old Romain Folz was another addition to the club's technical team. Mngqithi felt he needed the help of the former AmaZulu coach to shape the team's future.

'I know what I want from him': Mngqithi explains decision to bring Romain Folz at Sundowns
Romain Folz – Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

The new signings at Sundowns 

Downs parted ways with some stars like Bongani Zungu, Brian Onyango, Gaston Sirino, and Junio Mendieta. Others who left the team include Thabiso Kutumela, Nyiko Mobbie, Ismail Watenga and Matias Esquivel among others.

The PSL holders have since strengthened their team with Kobamelo Kodisang from Moreirense, former Lommel SK striker Arthur de Oliveira Sales, SuperSport United's Kegan Johannes, Asekho Tiwani who was turning out for Sekhukhune United, and Iqraam Rayners who scored 15 league goals for Stellenbosch.

The players are meant to help the team have a good campaign especially in the international front.

Sundowns star named among players to watch in FIFA Club World Cup
Sundowns players warming-up – Picture by Mamelodi Sundowns

The pre-season story

The first assignment for Mngqithi was in the pre-season in Austria; the first game was against the German third-tier side Sandhausen which ended 2-1 in favour of the latter.

Masandawana then fell by a solitary goal against the Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kiev in their second friendly game.

English Championship side Cardiff City shared the spoils with the South Africa champions in a 1-1 draw before the latter claimed a 3-0 win victory over Al Arabi. Downs ended their European tour with a 2-1 win over Al Hilal.

The MTN8 curse extended!

Stellenbosch FC celebrate scoring against Mamelodi Sundowns

In the 2022/23 campaign, Masandawana were eliminated from the competition by Orlando Pirates, who went all the way to win it. It led to the technical team changes; Mngqithi and Komphela – who were initially serving as Mokwena's co-coaches, were demoted.

Last season, Sundowns went a step further, this time around setting up a final battle with the Soweto giants. However, Sipho Chaine's heroics in the penalty shootout ensured the Buccaneers successfully defended the title.

This season, Sundowns had been tipped to go all the way, but after labouring to a narrow 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the quarter-final, they were eliminated by Stellenbosch in the semi-final after a 2-0 aggregate loss.

Has Mngqithi lost it already?

Pressure is slowly building against the tactician after recent struggles in the annual MTN8 competition.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Polokwane City

Some fans are arguing the players have not recovered from the shocking Mokwena exit and that it can be seen from their body language. Others argue the former AmaZulu coach has introduced new tactics and players are still mastering them.

Whether it is true or not, the unforgiving Sundowns management wants instant results. The second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League against Mbabane Swallows is coming in the next couple of days before the Premier Soccer League's Tshwane Derby against SuperSport United. These are matches that MIGHT determine the coach's future at the club.

What they said

Despite the online uproar, Mngqithi recently insisted he consumes less from the critics, stating he is the right man for the job.

How does Manqoba Mngqithi feel about Stellenbosch draw in MTN8 semifinals
Manqoba Mngqithi – Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

“I don’t even have social media, so I can’t answer something that I don’t even see. For me, one thing I know is that when you are the leader of a pack, it’s always important to try to move your ears away from the crowd and focus on what you are doing because as it is, I don’t think there is any reason for anyone to believe that I cannot coach Sundowns.  

“I believe anyone who feels like maybe might be malicious, maybe might be having issues, or maybe might be sent by others to say things that suit those particular individuals.  

“But for someone to think I’m incapable of coaching Sundowns, it will be very strange for me,” Mngqithi concluded.

Mamelodi Sundowns: What happened at Masandawana after Mokwena’s exit?

Willis Sob

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.