The SAFA president has weighed in on what the 37-year-old’s departure means for the national team
SAFA president Danny Jordaan does not think the departure of Rulani Mokwena from Mamelodi Sundowns will have an impact on Bafana Bafana.
Mokwena left Sundowns at the start of July, in what was a shocking decision, following a reported fall out with sporting director Flemming Berg and has since joined Moroccan giants Wydad AC.
However, his exit left a number of Sundowns players dejected as he had formed a strong bond with most of them and that was extended to the national team.
‘These players have built a strong unit’
Sundowns players make the bulk of the Bafana Bafana squad and helped push South Africa to an impressive third place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Jordaan, however, does not expect anything to change even if Rulani is not in the dugout as he feels the players have formed a strong bond amongst themselves which will still be beneficial to the national team.
“The players are still there; the coach may have left,” said Jordaan, as per FARPost.
“I think these players have built a strong unit, camaraderie and friendship in the national team and there's a strong bond there. I just hope that it continues.
Broos stilly heavily relying on Downs players
“Whether the removal of Rulani [Mokwena] will create disruption, maybe it’s possible but I think generally we still have all the players in the team and they will continue.”
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has stayed true to his tried and tested with Sundowns players still dominating the starting XI even during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Brazilians had six players starting in each of South Africa’s recent matches, the 1-1 draw away to Nigeria as well as the 3-1 home win over Zimbabwe, in June and that is not likely to change anytime soon.
