Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has been identified as the perfect candidate to become the next South African coach to break into the Middle East market and go on to even pull the strings in Europe.
Mokwena is only in his first full season as a stand-alone head coach in the DStv Premiership after being handed the reigns in October 2022 in a reshuffle that relegated Manqoba Mngqithi to the ambiguous senior coach role.
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The man from Soweto turned 37 earlier in January having been swimming in the PSL waters, having gotten his break as Steve Komphela's assistant at Platinum Stars in 2009.
His spell in charge of Sundowns has been impressive.
Ten wins, five draws, and one defeat is Mokwena's record in the CAF Champions League, lost on the away goals rule in the semi-finals last season.
Sundowns have also played six matches in the African Football League which they won in its inaugural edition with their only defeat in that competition having been in the first leg of the final.
On the local front, it has been smooth for Mokwena.
The league was delivered with ease last season, and another is on the way this term.
The Brazilians are unbeaten in the league under Mokwena which counts for 33 games.
In local cup competitions, Sundowns went out on penalties in the Carling Cup first after having lost in the final of the MTN8, having come stuck in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals last season.
This hasn't gone unnoticed beyond borders with at least two contacts in the Middle East of the opinion that Mokwena's next step will be in that direction.
It has been suggested that the first step to take for Mokwena will be moving to the club scene in Egypt where there is standing interest from Zamalek.
From there, the next step will be Saudi Arabia following on the path that was taken by Pitso Mosimane.
Based on his success rate in the Gulf and his age, this could then put him in good standing to have a good shot in Europe.
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Mokwena has never shied away from learning in the game as evidenced by his constant trips to clubs in England, Spain, and Brazil, amongst others.
He is of the growing number of established young coaches across the world who started calling the shots in their 20s who include his age mate and German head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
"Rulani is on the right path towards growing himself into the European market, but that journey.
"At his age, it gives him the energy to widen his options in learning and adapting to all new trends in the game.
"His success with Sundowns will elevate him to what is needed in this part of the world, especially if he wins the Champions League this season or next season," says one contact in the Middle East.