Since departing Wydad Casablanca, one of Africa's most sought-after young coaches, Rulani Mokwena has been the subject of persistent speculation, with his potential return to familiar surroundings gaining increasing momentum.
It recently emerged that CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC are also interested in the former Mamelodi Sundowns Premiership title-winning mentor. The Siya crew has consistently been the first to report that Mokwena is believed to be Orlando Pirates' leading contender for their vacancy.
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Now, a Pirates insider with access to the club's decision-making processes has indicated that the club hasn't given up on Mokwena.
The insider added that a top official at the club has been talking to Mokwena regarding the possible move to the Houghton-based side.
"The interest is definitely there but no one, not even his agent is talking about this move. Apparently only one person at Pirates is the one who is talking to the coach. If the deal happens it will be between that person and the coach. At the moment it's believed that it's a sensitive issue that no one else at the club will know the result of," the insider told Soccer Laduma.
Meanwhile, a second insider with intimate knowledge of the club's recruitment timeline stated that the club is expected to announce a new coach before the team reassembles for their pre-season training camp, which is expected to be the first week of July.
"Of course the coach will be available by the time the players return for pre-season. All is in order but only one person can do that and everyone is waiting for him to announce the coach at the right time. But apparently it will be before the team returns during the first week of July. So it's just around the corner," the second insider revealed.
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Despite this, Mokwena himself had told the media that he would ideally need to begin any new job at some point in the next few days, so that he can prepare for the new season.
Pirates have been without a head coach since Jose Riveiro left to join Al Ahly in Egypt toward the end of the last campaign, and Mandla Ncikazi was made the interim coach for the final few games.
Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates for official comment on the Mokwena situation but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
The potential return of Mokwena to Pirates would represent a significant coup for the Sea Robbers, bringing back a coach who has since enhanced his reputation with both continental and domestic success.
The secretive nature of the negotiations, reportedly limited to top-level discussions, suggests the club recognises the delicate and high-profile nature of this potential appointment.
