“There is an empathetic sense because we have the same profession,” Mokwena said, asked about former Bafana Bafana coach Ntseki's struggles at Chiefs having replaced Arthur Zwane as head coach at the start of this campaign.
“I am sure he will learn and grow from these situations. Today it is him, tomorrow it is another coach and it could even be me. That’s why you must have some form of empathy and some feeling, but this is our profession and this is what we signed up for.
“Some people say it with eloquent English that when you pray for the sun, be prepared for the rain — and when the rain comes, be prepared to deal with the mud.
“That’s our profession. We pray to be head coaches of big clubs and when you are head of a big club, you have to be prepared to deal with uncomfortable situations.”
Sundowns coach Mokwena ‘sure sun will shine again’ for Chiefs boss Ntseki
Image: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has extended a brotherly hand of empathy to under-pressure Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Molefi Ntseki.
Ntseki has endured a frustrating start to his spell in charge of Amakhosi in the DStv Premiership, their home defeat against Cape Town City on Tuesday leaving Chiefs wallowing in seventh place with 11 points from nine matches.
Chiefs suffered refereeing decisions against them in being knocked out of the MTN8 in the semifinals by Sundowns, who meet Orlando Pirates in the final on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
“There is an empathetic sense because we have the same profession,” Mokwena said, asked about former Bafana Bafana coach Ntseki's struggles at Chiefs having replaced Arthur Zwane as head coach at the start of this campaign.
“I am sure he will learn and grow from these situations. Today it is him, tomorrow it is another coach and it could even be me. That’s why you must have some form of empathy and some feeling, but this is our profession and this is what we signed up for.
“Some people say it with eloquent English that when you pray for the sun, be prepared for the rain — and when the rain comes, be prepared to deal with the mud.
“That’s our profession. We pray to be head coaches of big clubs and when you are head of a big club, you have to be prepared to deal with uncomfortable situations.”
Mamelodi Sundowns need a big squad: Mokwena hits back at critics
Mokwena knows pressure well, having been in a similar situation at Pirates when he was caretaker coach between August and December in 2019.
“I know because I have been there — I am not talking out of lack of experience of what he is going through. God loves us all and I am sure the sun will shine again for him.
“He is more experienced than me, he has seen more of these situations than I have and I should be the last person to give him advice.”
Mokwena, who steered Downs to their sixth league title in succession in dominant fashion last season, is aiming to secure his first domestic cup winner's medal as a head coach in Saturday's final.
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