Mokwena thanks the Yellow Nation after clinching Coach of the Season.

Our coach, Rulani Mokwena, has thanked the Masandawana faithful after walking away with the DStv Premiership Coach of the Season Award.

Mokwena finished the season unbeaten in the league since taking over the reigns as Mamelodi Sundowns sole head coach, with 14 victories and six draws, wrapping up the league title with seven matches to spare, while breaking many records along the way.

The coach not only made his mark in the domestic league, but in the continent as well, where the team reached the semi-finals, and only bowed out on the away goal rule against defending champions, Wydad Athletic Club, without losing a game in 90 minutes.

Mokwena says the award is not his own individual accolade, but a reflection of the work being done by the club as a whole.

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"I’m so honored and extremely privileged to stand after receiving the Coach of the Season award on behalf of the yellow nation," Mokwena told sundownsfc.co.za.

"This award is only a reflection of the hard work and commitment of everybody that is associated with the club."

Next season promises to be another action packed season for the club, and Mokwena says the team will try to make it better.

"I want to thank you for your dedication, love, and support throughout this season, as well as for travelling with us on this journey. We go again next season, and we try to make it even better."

Teboho Mokoena, wearing the boots that once belonged to giants.

DStv Premiership Footballer of the Season, as well as Midfielder of the Season Award winner, Teboho Mokoena, is wearing heavy boots that once belonged to giants like Esrom Nyandoro, Hlompho Kekana, and more recently, Andile Jali.

What's with the long range cracker he banged in when we beat Al Ahly SC 5-2 during the CAF Champions League group stage? Was that not a vintage Nyandoro and Kekana strike?

I bet it was.

When it comes to the number six position, Mamelodi Sundowns has rarely put a foot wrong, and Mokoena seems to be continuing with the tradition of our former captains.

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He still has a long way to go, but as he keeps growing, their boots will fit him perfectly.

Doubts were there when he stepped in to replace Jali in the starting line up.

Jali had won midfielder of the season in the 2021/22 season, and rarely put a foot wrong as our six, commanding the midfield like a war hardened general that he is.

When he was suddenly benched for Mokoena, it meant Tebza had a lot to do to win the hearts of The Yellow Nation, and prove that he was ready to take charge of our engine room.

And prove himself he did, putting in hard shifts in our midfield, with some sterling work on and off the ball.

Mokoena, although not much of an intimidating figure, has the bite, a strong engine to do the long yards, and the technique to find his teammates with short and medium range passes.

And he can score, which is a big plus, even though he hasn't found the back of the net as much as he is capable of doing.

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Again, as he keeps on improving under coach Rulani Mokwena, an advocate of hard work and consistent improvement, we might see him growing in leaps and bounds, becoming the Rolls-Royce of deep-lying-midfielders in African football.

In a nutshell, our midfield is in good hands, as the Sundowns midfield has been ever since I can remember.