Six weeks. That's how long it took for Rhulani Mokwena to agree to sign the contract to become the second-in-command to new Orlando Pirates coach Milutin "Micho" Sredejovic.
In scribbling his signature on a three-year deal, Mokwena commenced a process which begins a closing of a full circle at the club by a family that ranks as South African football royalty. My friend, the Sonos are to Pirates what saliva is to tongue - inseparably tight.
Eric "Scara" Sono, the patriarch - a man my grandfather told me was the mainstay of Pirates, who commanded the respect of and commandeered his teammates with unquestionable distinction - was Mokwena's grandfather.
At that moment I knew my granddad was communicating something to me. It went beyond who I was as a human being. I had to respond to a calling.
— Rhulani Mokwena
Ephraim "Jomo" Sono, the legendary Black Prince of South African football, who no sooner had he said "I do" to his stunning bride Gail, rushed to the Rand Stadium to inspire Pirates to a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Highlands Park, is Mokwena's uncle.
Then there's Julius "KK" Sono, a rabble rouser who rattles the cage in a manner not dissimilar to his political namesake of the red-tide fame. Like Scara and Jomo, KK too twisted and turned like a snake on hot desert sand for Pirates.
Mokwena is Julius's son. He uses his maternal name because his folks never tied the knot. A week before the Pirates approach, Mokwena, who at the time served as Mamelodi Sundowns assistant, posted a picture of his granddad on his Instagram page. Grandson never met granddad because the former died before the latter was born. In the following weeks he would wake up everyday thinking about grandpa, leading up to Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza calling him.
As a person who believes in the energy and spiritual existence of his people beyond the grave, the 30-year-old took it that his granddad was pointing him in the direction of the football home of the Sono men.
"At that moment I knew my granddad was communicating something to me. It went beyond who I was as a human being. I had to respond to a calling," he tells me.
"I spoke to Bra J [Jomo], he gave me his blessings and wished me all the best. I have an appointment with my father to talk about this. I know fully well what it means to them as the sons of Orlando Pirates."
In Mokwena, Pirates have a credible budding coach. He has a brilliant football brain and is a top technocrat who is in touch with modern international trends and methodologies. There is a reason those who work closely with him call Mokwena Pep Mourinho.
His combination with "Micho" makes for a formidable think tank. Theirs is a partnership capable of prodding and pushing and provoking the Pirates players into a competitive side, not the wishy-washy pedestrian huffers and puffers they've been in recent times. "Micho" is no slouch. He has claimed league titles in Ethiopia and Uganda.
His exploits in ending Uganda's 39-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations earned The Cranes the African national team of the year accolade.
In his two-and-a-half years as part of the brains trust at Sundowns, Mokwena won the Caf Champions League and the Super Cup as well as grabbing Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout gongs. He has served his stewardship under Africa's best coach, Pitso "Jingles" Mosimane, alongside a major force in Manqoba Mngqithi. He credits the learnings he got from Steve Komphela.
Mokwena is grateful to Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe for proffering him a chance to show his mettle. He is indebted to the Yellow Nation, the club supporters, for making him a welcome citizen. He acknowledges the top Sundowns players for lending him their ear. He has now taken the citizenship of Orlando, where the backers of the Buccaneers, The Ghost, are belligerent.
In his own words: "I need to try to ease the pain of this sleeping giant, wipe my late grandfather's tears and allow him to continue to rest in peace by responding to another call from a club that continues to live in him." It will take more than six week to right the wrongs at Pirates.
Twitter: @bbkunplugged99
