Before I'm a Pirates Coach,I'm Pirates fan

Wien the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season got underway, Rhulani Mokwena never imagined that within a few weeks he would occupy one of the hottest seats in African football, as the man in charge of Orlando Pirates. Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic resigned as head coach of the Buccaneers to take charge of Egyptian giants Zamalek and the 32-year-old Mokwena was given the task of leading the Soweto giants, who ate determined to end their trophy drought this season. It has not been the easiest of starts, but the ambitious Mokwena is determined to crake a success of the opportunity h? has been given by chairman Dr Irvin Khoza. The forme Mamelodi Sundown assistant coach set aside some time for an interview with Soccer Leduma's Tshepang Mailwane, to peak about the last few months it charge of Pirates, as well as the belief Khoza has in him.

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Tshepang Mailwane: Coach, thanks for your time. You’ve been in the Orlando Pirates hot seat for a few months now, so in what ways would you say your life has changed?

Rhulani Mokwena: Well, my life changed the moment I got to Pirates. Whatever the capacity you are brought into, once you represent the club, you’ve got a huge responsibility and I understood from the word go that it’s not about me. This club has got a responsibility that goes beyond our own lives and there are people who died for this club. There are people who served this club with enormous selflessness and so much dedication. So, we have to continue with that, and I understood that from day one. Regardless of the title, once you are a Buccaneer, you have to serve.

TM: Do you feel that you have the backing of management? Is it strong?

RM: Very strong, and I feel I’m very fortunate. When I start the race, I have three disabilities: I’m young, I’m black and I’ve never played professional football. But because of the support I get from the management and the belief they have in me… I feel that it makes up for the three disabilities that I have from the start of the race. It’s important to feel their trust and to feel that they believe in you because once you feel that people believe in you, then you’ve got the responsibility and there’s an inner voice motivating you to say you can’t let them down. That becomes your driving force. I can’t let Dr Irvin Khoza down and I can’t let the Orlando Pirates management down and I can’t let the supporters down.

TM: Have Pirates indicated how long you’ll be in charge for?