Why I Believe Rhulani Mokoena Would Be the Perfect Fit for Orlando Pirates
There’s a unique kind of leader that every football club desires it had — a leader who is a tactician and more, a leader who understands the heartbeat of a team, a player’s emotions, and a club’s culture. For Orlando Pirates, that kind of leadership is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. And that’s exactly why I believe Rhulani Mokoena would be the perfect fit.
More Than Just Tactics
Rhulani has never lacked football brains — no one doubts his tactical acumen. But what truly sets him apart, and makes him such an attractive choice for a club like Pirates, is his emotional intelligence. He’s an emotional coach — one who manages with empathy, compassion, and genuine human connection.
At Wydad Casablanca, Rhulani displayed an outstanding level of emotional leadership. Rhulani also fasted with his players during Ramadan in March 2025, when his players were fasting. He said to the media: “I’m fasting with the players so that I can really get to know what they’re experiencing. It’s difficult for me, and if it’s difficult for me, imagine how much more difficult it must be for them.”. They have to play for 90 minutes, and train every day… all I need is a little empathy.” This was not for the cameras. This was a sincere attempt to bridge the coach-player divide — to feel what they feel, to understand their daily grind, and to let them know that he is truly with them, not just on the pitch, but in life.
That’s the kind of leadership that brings people together. That’s the kind of leadership Orlando Pirates once had — and have been missing.
A Time of Transition Requires the Right Touch
Following the emotional exit of coach José Riveiro, the atmosphere at Orlando Pirates is delicate. His departure marks the end of a chapter that brought not just tactical advancements, but emotional stability to the players. For three years, Pirates had a coach who was more than a tactician — a stabilizer, someone who understood the mental and emotional demands of high-level football.
This is a moment for more than a manager who can draw out formations. It requires someone who can first go into the emotional void left behind — someone who can lift the players’ spirits, repair their confidence, and gradually get them back into the rhythm of the game. To plunge headlong into systems and strategies without addressing the emotional well-being of the squad would be a mistake. Rhulani, with his naturally empathetic approach, is especially qualified to handle that delicate balance.
A Coach Still Growing
Rhulani has matured so much. He told a press conference some time ago that he is in contact with Premier League managers, exchanging ideas and learning constantly. “I have got friends in the Premier League I talk to. I’m always learning. The game evolves, and I must evolve with it,” he said. This is the mindset of a coach who not only gives orders but also listens — who stays hungry by staying humble.
He’s no longer the starving assistant trying to make his name known anymore. He is now a seasoned leader who understands the importance of emotional leadership and strategic shape.
A Natural Fit for Pirates
If Orlando Pirates require someone who can step in and immediately grasp the emotional and tactical DNA of the club, then Rhulani Mokoena is the glove that fits. All that he has been through has shaped him into more than a coach — he is now a leader, a mentor, and perhaps most critically, a unifier.
It’s rare to find a coach who can connect the dots between heart and strategy. Rhulani has proven that he can. And for a club like Pirates — who have always thrived on passion, culture, and character — he might just be the perfect match.
