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Rulani: I have got pressure on me

While some of the Mamelodi Sundowns players will be enjoying a much deserved break after a busy first half of the 2023/24 campaign, there will not be any rest for head coach Rulani Mokwena.

The PSL will remain closed until February 13 due to the Afcon tournament which is set to kick off on January 13 in Ivory Coast.

Sundowns will resume their league campaign with a fixture against Golden Arrows away from home at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Valentine's Day.

The Brazilians finished the year 2023 sitting on top of the league log with 35 points after playing 13 league games so far this season.

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Following a very busy past year, Mokwena has given his players 3 weeks off but there won't be rest for Masandawana coach during the period due to his passion for football.

"I hope I can (rest)  I don't know if I can but I hope I can," Mokwena said.

"I think you interviewed Uncle Dr Jomo Sono and said I don't know if this guy has a bed.

"I try (to rest), Everyone tells me to switch off a bit, rest a bit, and take some time off unfortunately  I can't do that. My mind is always about how can  I make the team better," 

"Unfortunately that's going to be me for the rest of my life.

"Let me tell you how my late grandfather Scara Sono died.

"Please do the research. You know my uncle (Jomo Sono)  left his wedding, and his wife for a Cup final.

"He said 'I do' and rushed to a football match". "So who I am to complain of extra hours of sleep when my late grandfather died because of football?

"He lost his life, my uncle left his wedding, the important day of his life, he only said I do and was out.

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"People say I must sleep, I must rest and forget football. Guys I have got pressure on me, that pressure is not put by anybody else except myself and the legacy of the family I come from.

"That will be the way until I stop coaching."

Mokwena has won the African Football League with Mamelodi Sundowns last year and is currently chasing a ticket to qualify for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

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