Freese happy with Mokwena’s progress

Highlands Park FC head coach, Allan Freese, has shared his thoughts on Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rhulani Mokwena’s progress as a professional coach.

The duo know each other quite well, having worked together at the now-defunct Platinum Stars, which was at that time called Silver Stars.

Mokwena started his coaching journey in 2007 as a youth coach at the outfit, before he became an assistant coach. Now he is a highly-rated coach on the continent and has exceeded expectations since he was appointed the Mamelodi Sundowns sole head coach in October 2022.

The 37-year-old Soweto-born coach has helped the Tshwane giants win two trophies, namely; the 2022/23 DStv Premiership and the 2023 African Football League title.

Freese is not surprised by Mokwena’s success.

“It’s not surprising for me to see where he [Rulani Mokwena] is. We worked together in the development of Highlands Park before where he put in a lot of work to prove himself,” said Freese.

“He’s done a lot personally to prove himself as a coach. He’s a very approachable somebody. So for where he is now, it’s not a surprise because he took a lot of time to improve his coaching. You put in the time, you get what comes to you.”

The 67-year-old says coaching is no mean feat.

“I think coaching sometimes is not as easy as you think. Look at him today, top of the pile. Not so long ago Chippa [United] was firing him, not so long ago he was at [Orlando] Pirates, and Pirates also fired him.”

He says South African football clubs gain a lot by giving coaches a chance to grow in their role and show what they are made of.

“I don’t think everybody improves, but given a chance, as a person, as a coach anyone can do that. Some of the clubs don’t give you a chance, so you don’t show your true potential. Sundowns have done that, they’ve seen the potential in him, they’ve given him the opportunity and I think he has paid Sundowns for them having faith in him.” Written by Ntsako Mkhari