Could the future of Orlando Pirates lie in their past? With the coaching hot seat vacant, Rulani Mokwena’s name has resurfaced — and this time, he may be better prepared than ever to deliver league glory to a club that once gave him his first taste of top flight responsibility.
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Seven years ago, Mokwena arrived at Mayfair as a fresh-faced 31-year-old, brimming with tactical knowledge and ambition. He joined as an assistant to then-head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojević, having previously cut his teeth under Pitso Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns.
That first stint at Pirates was a mixture of promise and growing pains.
Mokwena was handed the reins on an interim basis after Micho’s departure, steering the team through 14 matches that yielded just four wins, five draws and five losses. While the numbers weren’t flattering, the experience was invaluable. Eventually, he would depart for Chippa United before returning to Sundowns to complete what has become one of South African football’s most unique coaching journeys.
Fast forward to 2025, and Mokwena is a different beast altogether!
At 38, he’s led some of the continent’s most high-pressure sides and walked away with silverware to show for it. As co-coach at Sundowns alongside Manqoba Mngqithi, and later as sole head coach, he captured the MTN8, Nedbank Cup, DStv Premiership and the inaugural African Football League title.
His tactical brand of fluid, expressive football earned him plaudits from fans and pundits alike, and it was that same philosophy that prompted Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic to come calling.
Wydad may not have been the fairytale many expected. His record — 11 wins, 12 draws, and four losses in 27 league matches — was enough to keep the club in contention but fell short of the Champions League qualification they craved. Still, the football was bold, high-tempo and purpose-driven, qualities that have become synonymous with Mokwena’s teams.
So, is he better suited for the Pirates job now than he was in 2017?
Absolutely.
Mokwena’s tactical maturity, man-management growth and continental experience make him an ideal fit for the Pirates of today. The Buccaneers are no longer simply a sleeping giant. They are a team that has re-established themselves as serious continental players. Their run to the CAF Champions League semi-finals and their domestic cup success under Riveiro prove that the foundation is already strong.
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The squad itself, filled with youthful energy and technical flair, is the perfect playground for a coach like Mokwena. He thrives when nurturing young talent, establishing clear tactical patterns and building long-term projects. More importantly, there's a deeper connection, a sense of unfinished business at Mayfair, and a family lineage that traces directly back to the hallowed number 10 jersey worn by his uncle, the legendary Jomo Sono.
A return to Pirates wouldn’t just be about football for Mokwena. It would be about legacy, redemption and continuity.
Of course, it’s still unclear whether Pirates’ management sees Mokwena as the right man for the job. With CVs surely flooding in and expectations sky-high, the decision won’t be taken lightly.
But it’s hard to argue against the notion that Rulani Mokwena, at 38, with more scars and more medals, is far better equipped to handle the demands of the Orlando Pirates bench than he was as an ambitious assistant all those years ago.
He is available. Pirates are in need. Perhaps it’s time to run it back.
