Orlando Pirates have been recommended to re-appoint coach Rulani Mokwena as the Buccaneers look to fill one of the hottest coaching seats on the African continent.
Mokwena left his head coaching post at Wydad Casablanca just before the end of the campaign in Morocco's top flight which came at a similar time to Jose Riveiro’s intended exit from the Soweto giants. Mokwena has since sparked interest from different parts of the continent and Pirates are believed to be right up there as a possible destination for the South African coach who had previously won the PSL title and the African Football League with Mamelodi Sundowns.
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With Mokwena being linked to Bucs, the Siya crew has been informed that a high ranking stakeholder with close ties to the Pirates camp has urged the club to go with the highly rated Mokwena. The source commented on condition of anonymity, as they do not want to be seen as interfering with the club’s dealings.
"What I can tell you is that a high level stakeholder close to Pirates has recommended that the club should select Mokwena to take over from Jose Riveiro. Remember that Riveiro had similarly left the Soweto giants early, to (eventually) sign a deal with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Rulani also left early," revealed the source, as they explained that the said stakeholder has a close relationship with Pirates' decision-makers and his opinion is well-respected by the club.
“They made it clear that Mokwena would be the right candidate to coach the Buccaneers. He is the right choice to continue where Riveiro left off, when compared to the other coaches who have been linked with the Pirates job," the Siya source added.
The source went on to suggest that Mokwena has got options on the continent and that the move back to Orlando could be up to him.
"Mokwena was then approached by clubs in North Africa. The ball seemed to be in Mokwena's court in terms of a Pirates return. He was the one most likely to succeed at Pirates when you consider how well he knows the club and is part of the Pirates family.
"Rulani to Pirates is a possibility that could have been attended to earlier but it's now become a higher possibility after he ruled out (coaching) Zamalek while he was linked to Pyramids FC too," the source explained.
Mokwena himself has since explained to the media that he didn't want to be in the running for the Zamalek job because his mentor, Pitso Mosimane was also a candidate and he didn't want to be disrespectful to 'Jingles'.
Mokwena, who has previously occupied the hot seat at Pirates for a short period, also made it known in a local interview that he would be interested in taking up the role at Pirates, should it be available.
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"Of course I would consider it," Mokwena said during the interview on Soccer Africa on SuperSport.
"Of course I would. It's a big club and it's still got people that are very close to me and to my heart."
With his experience on the continent, the Siya crew understands Mokwena is still one of the leading candidates for the position many coaches in world football would also want.
The Buccaneers are expected to announce their new coach this month, before the start of the pre-season.
