Former Bafana Bafana star Doctor Khumalo believes South Africa shouldn’t be overly concerned about Rulani Mokwena’s departure from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mokwena’s coaching transformed Sundowns into a dominant force, which significantly impacted the national team.

There’s concern that Bafana Bafana’s recent success might falter at the 2025/2026 AFCON in Morocco. The fear stems from the well-drilled unit Mokwena built at Sundowns, a team that instilled fear in African opponents.

Mokwena left Sundowns after achieving an unprecedented seven consecutive league titles. Last season’s triumph was particularly impressive, with only one loss and a record points total since the PSL switched to a 16-team format. However, his relationship with sporting director Flemming Berg deteriorated, making it impossible to continue together.

The 37-year-old, crowned PSL Coach of the Season, has since signed with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca until 2027.

Mokwena’s influence at Sundowns undeniably affected the national team. The core of Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal-winning squad at the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast comprised Sundowns players. This marked Bafana Bafana’s best showing at the AFCON since 2000.

“I don’t think it will be a train smash,” said Khumalo, a member of the 1996 AFCON-winning Bafana Bafana squad.

“If Steve Komphela and Manqoba Mngqithi (are the co-coaches), or Sundowns appoint a new coach, Sundowns won’t be a force because Sundowns have proven in the past years they have a plan, I don’t think so. They understand what makes them tick. So, let’s just wait and see what transpires in the 2024/25 season. 

“But I would like to believe that Sundowns do have a plan, because after Pitso Mosimane (left to join Al Ahly in October 2020), we thought they would collapse but there was a young man (Mokwena) who took them to the top.”  

Beyond his domestic achievements, Mokwena became the first South African coach to lead a club to two consecutive CAF Champions League semifinals.

Bafana Bafana’s performances before the 2024 AFCON were often underwhelming. In 2006, they suffered the embarrassment of losing all group stage matches and failing to score in Egypt.

Khumalo acknowledges the crucial role Sundowns’ core group played in Bafana Bafana’s recent bronze medal. “Eighty percent of Bafana Bafana at the last AFCON were Sundowns players,” he said. “Without them, would we have reached the semifinals or even achieved third place? Only God knows.”