If Rulani Mokwena stood accused of 'telling it like it is' based on his braggadocious, no-holds-barred manner of speaking during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns, then Manqoba Mngqithi is on course to taking it a notch higher. KickOff takes a closer look at the latter's five controversial comments made so far this season…
Soccer being a form of entertainment, coaches are the big drivers of conversations out on the streets, train stations, bus stops, taverns, etc. Many lamented the departure from these shores of Pitso Mosimane, as he joined Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in September 2020 just as the Coronavirus was tightening its grip on the world. His post-match interviews were, and still remain, unmatched.
Enter Mokwena, the young mentor many love(d) to hate. Besides being a brilliant mind and a technocrat of a tactician, he lapped up the spotlight that came with the job, often being accused of being self-obsessed. And so when he left to take up a head coach post at Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco prior to the beginning of this season, his critics breathed a sigh of relief, some remarking there would be 'less noise' on account of Mngqithi's quiet demeanour on the Sundowns bench, save for the occasional bark.
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How wrong they all were.
Zwane 'has to fight for the next contract'
Shortly after the beginning of the season, Mngqithi was asked about Sundowns' decision to hand Zwane, undoubtedly one of the club's best players over the last decade, only a one year deal.
"I think it's the right thing to do. And everybody is free to make his opinion heard, but I think it's the right thing to do because for players at that age, it's important to keep them on their toes. I don't think it necessarily means he will be out of the club after one year, but for him to stay sharp, it's important that he knows he has to fight for the next contract.
"And I think if all PSL teams can adopt that, it will be the best thing that we can do for our football because most of these senior players, they want to get a four-year contract because they know they are looking for retirement, and you want them to perform every week.
"I think it's a good thing, and I think 'Mshishi' is the right player for that because he is a very professional player, he will work very hard, he will know he cannot sit on his laurels, he has to give it his best shot, and I'm very confident he will do very well."
MTN8 prediction
Having laboured to a 1-0 extra-time win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinals, and with Stellenbosch FC lying in wait for the two-legged semis, the head coach did not mince his words about where the trophy was headed to.
"I was the first to win the MTN8 [with Golden Arrows]. Again, we are going to be the first ones to win the MTN8 with a prize of R10 million."
Exposing Pirates' shortcoming
After Sundowns joined Bucs on four league victories out of four, the 53-year-old mentor maintained that the Soweto giants had the capability to push them all the way, but expressed a weakness about Jose Riveiro's team. Judging by how results have gone since then, it seems the roles have been reversed.
"They are a team, I think, that is going to push us. I hope and pray they do have the depth to carry themselves during the group stages [of the CAF Champions League] and the league because I think that's where maybe the separation will take place."
"I do believe they are a very good team and they tried to rotate the squad. Unfortunately, it did not work out very well in the Carling Knockout Cup, but honestly speaking, I think they are team that will really pose a lot of problems.
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"But I still maintain that they are a team that does not do well against small teams and so far, they've really done well. But let's continue and see because that's where I think maybe the championship will be decided."
Broos and the house rules
The former Golden Arrows tactician did not take kindly to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos putting him under pressure to play Teboho Mokoena, who is crucial to the national cause but had been dropped from the starting XI at club level.
"Hugo Broos must manage his house, and I will manage mine. No one tells him who to play at Bafana Bafana, and no one should tell me who to play at Mamelodi Sundowns. We all know the potential of the two players, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau. No one says anything when he plays eight defenders. He must give me a call so that we can discuss this thing as coaches. I've got great respect for him, he helped us win bronze at the AFCON."
Chiefs youngsters, the contradiction
Critics were quick to point out the contradiction, as soon after that, after humiliating Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in the Carling Knockout, he went on and appeared to advise Nasreddine Nabi how to use the younger members of his squad.
"I don't want to sound bad, but I think the youngsters that Kaizer Chiefs has brought into their first team are very good young boys, very good young boys. That [Mduduzi] Shabalala is a big factor in the game and he also got some very good moments today."
"[Wandile] Duba played exceptionally well. I believe this is the feeling I have when I look at these boys. [Mfundo] Vilakazi, when he's given a chance. They are all very good football players, but the biggest mistake that you can make with players like those is to put the load of a team as big as Kaizer Chiefs on their shoulders."