‘I’m doing a similar thing to Jose Mourinho’ coach Rulani Mokwena

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has pleaded with fans to be patient with Lesiba Nku.

The 37-year-old coach has compared the midfielder’s situation to the one of Real Madrid legend Luka Modric. The Croatian maestro left Tottenham Hotspur for Real Madrid in 2012 in what was a career-defining move. Under coach Jose Mourinho, Modric struggled to fit in and was often jeered by angry Madrid fans. The midfielder eventually settled in a season later and went on to become one of Los Blancos’ greatest players of all time.

Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena believes Nku can emulate Modric and become a club legend.

“It’s something we’ve been speaking about. And it was actually started by Mabena because when we brought Mabena, he was the only one that could impact the game from the bench,” he told SuperSport TV.

nd then it became a topic to say ‘guys, if the young one can do it, well, what more…’ And now Lesiba Nku in two games in a row has done exceptionally well.

Coach Rulani Mokwena compared Nku to Madrid legend?

“You know, there was a moment when Jose Mourinho was coaching Real Madrid, and he asked them, the Madrid fans, to be patient with Luca Modric. Luca Modric went on to become probably one of the best players in the history of Real Madrid.

“And I’m going to do something very similar. I’m going to ask the Sundowns supporters to be a little bit more patient with Lesiba Nku. He is very, very special. He just needs time.

“If he adapts and he takes [off], they must be a little bit more patient. They will see why we signed him,” said Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena.

Following their 1-0 win over Royal AM on Saturday, Sundowns are now 50 games without a defeat in the DStv Premiership.

“I tell them that I want more and they look at me like I’m crazy but I want more passes, I want them to rest more and recover,” Mokwena said as per Citizen.

Mokwena wants to end the season unbeaten

“I want them to train better, watch their matches and do more corrections. I want them to want better performances from themselves, he said.

Rulani Mokwena wants to be the first South African coach to finish the season unbeaten. Masandawana have wrapped up the DStv Premiership and are on track to break many records including finishing the league unbeaten.