Sundowns coach hails impact of Harambee Stars defender’s leadership qualities despite peripheral role

STARS ABROAD Sundowns coach hails impact of Harambee Stars defender’s leadership qualities despite peripheral role

Mark Kinyanjui 21:45 - 29.11.2023

Mandela has largely been used as a squad player since joining Sundowns, but coach Mokwena has revealed the valuable attribute he possesses that has helped the club win numerous trophies.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena has revealed the importance of Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela in his current squad of players.

Sundowns recently lifted the inaugural CAF African Football League against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, before the club sat down in an exclusive interview with the youthful tactician to explain the importance of achieving such a feat.

Although Onyango has been largely used as a squad player since Mokwena took charge of the club, with all of his appearances being as a substitute, Mokwena described Onyango as an important “behind the scenes” type of leader.

“In our changing room, it is a little bit different because you have got the vocalness of Dennis (Onyango), and we have got the vocalness of now coach Kennedy (Mwenee) who is a coach now.

He has passed on the baton to Ronwen (Williams) and then we still have, really really,  behind the scenes, you've got a Mosa Lebusa, you've got a Brian (Mandela) Onyango, you have got a very nice balance.”

You've got people who demonstrate through performance like Peter (Shaulile) Marcelo (Allende), Mshishi (Themba Zwane), Riva (Coetzee), they lead by performance, they put their bodies on the line.”

Mokwena also stressed the importance of Onyango’s namesake and Ugandan goalkeeper Dennis Onyango’s vocal presence in the dressing room to help him achieve his goals as head coach of the club.

“But when you need a stronger voice, you know Dennis is going to come, when you need a stronger voice, you know Ronwen is going to come in, and that makes your job as a technical team, as a coach a lot easier.”

Having spent several seasons in South Africa, Mandela boasts an impressive career record. He has made a total of 156 appearances, with 146 starts, accumulating 12,367 minutes of playing time.

Prior to his time at Sundowns, the defender had stints with Maritzburg and Santos. Furthermore, Mandela has already achieved notable success, having secured three league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2020/2021, 2021/2022, and the most recent season.