DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have parted ways with their head coach, Rhulani Mokwena. According to reports, the club cut ties with Mokwena, who co-coached the Brazilians with Manqoba Mngqithi, because of a strained relationship with the club's sporting director, Flemming Berg. 

THEY PARTED WAYS AMICABLY 

The club confirmed the news in a statement this afternoon. The club said that they parted ways amicably. "Mamelodi Sundowns and Rhulani Mokwena amicably concluded an agreement, bringing to an end Rhulani Mokwena's employment as head coach. Sundowns wishes to express its gratitude to Rhulani Mokwena for his contribution to the successes and achievements of the club during his tenure as head coach. The club went on to say that the decision to let him go was taken by the board and that it was not influenced or based on the recommendation of any individual associated with the club. "Sundowns is deeply committed to the development and growth of South African coaches and players," the statement read. 

MANQOBA MNGQITHI TO TAKE OVER THE TEAM 

The team also said that Mngqithi and the technical team will continue to lead and take control of the training and preparation of the players for the upcoming season. "Mamelodi Sundowns is preparing and focusing on competing in all the upcoming competitions and is honoured to be one of four Football Clubs representing the African Continent in the historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025," the club said. Mokwena (37) joined the Brazilians in 2014 as a junior coach on the club's development team. He was later promoted as one of former coach Pitso Mosimane's assistant managers, alongside Manqoba Mngqithi and Alex Bapela.