Mokwena opens up on Mbule, Jali rumours: 'I have to protect my players, but not at club's expense'

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena said that he had a responsibility to protect the club and his players, after a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC in the DStv Premiership ended a 15-match winning streak for the Brazilians on Sunday.

The past seven days had been a testing period for Mamelodi Sundowns as off-field matters distracted the South African football fraternity from the club's near-perfect 2022/23 season.

According to a TimesLIVE report last week, star midfielders Sipho Mbule and Andile Jali were the players identified to have pitched up at Chloorkop for training under the influence of alcohol.

KickOff also suggested that the head coach, Mokwena, had an altercation with an unnamed first-team player before their 2-2 CAF Champions League result against Al Ahly that took place on the weekend before last.

Furthermore, according to KickOff, an unnamed Sundowns player, who the club has since sidelined, had allegedly tested positive for an illegal substance.

Following the draw at Stellenbosch, the 36-year-old Mokwena was once again pushed into a corner to comment on the reports about Mbule and Jali.

"So, what I said in the last press conference, I said, if you're looking for negatives about my players, you won't find [it from me]," Mokwena said after the match. 

"I have two responsibilities: The first responsibility I have for the club, to protect Mamelodi Sundowns. Number one.

"Number two, I have to protect my players. I have that, and those are two very important responsibilities."

Reporters had previously quizzed Mokwena about Mbule and Jali after Downs' 3-1 win against Marumo Gallants on Thursday last week, but he then only offered a minimal response, saying: "I'll never speak negative about my players. Never, ever, ever.