Any football coach knows that it is always best to blend the youth with a good group of experienced players, which is why Rulani Mokwena is leaning towards Mamelodi Sundowns veterans Themba Zwane and Denis Onyango.
For the past decade, ‘Mshishi’ and Onyango have proven stalwarts for Sundowns, with the duo being the only remaining players from the 2016 team that lifted the CAF Champions League under Pitso Mosimane.
Both Zwane and Onyango’s current deals will expire at the end of June. However, Mokwena has revealed that the veteran goalkeeper, aged 39, and fan favourite, Zwane, are likely to remain at Chloorkop despite their age.
Onyango lost the number one goalkeeper spot to Ronwen Williams while Zwane no longer features for the entirety of matches on the spin, as Mokwena “manages” the 34-year-old.
READ: Rulani Mokwena proclaims himself as DStv Premiership Coach of the Season
“They are very important players. They’ve got big roles. Denis and Themba Zwane are very important to this team. Next season they are part of our plans and they predominantly feature in our plans,” said Mokwena.
“I have not submitted a report, that’s the starting point. I have to summarize the performances of the squad and I then have to give a detailed report to the senior management and to the sporting director and provide some directives on where we need to strengthen.
“I thought about it but I have not put it on paper and submitted it. The way we work at the club is very different.
“The coach has to go through the season and then the sporting director deals with the transfers. Those are of course based on the recommendations of the coach and the technical team. That is how the process works,” Mokwena added.
Slick passing and a fine finish to get the job done at the Athlone Stadium! ⚡😍#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/PcEZcIy2GP
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 19, 2024
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