With Thabo Rakhale’s current contract with Chippa United set to expire at the end of the 2019/20 season, ex-Orlando Pirates coach Rulani Mokwena has set the record straight, insisting he has a good relationship with the star player and does not harbour any negative feelings towards him.
Rakhale left Pirates in 2018 after the arrival of coach Milutin Sredojevic and his assistant Mokwena as he was being used sparingly and struggled to make an impact under the two tacticians.
Mokwena, who is on a six-month loan deal at Chippa from Pirates, said they are trying to keep Rakhale at the club amid reports that the attacking skillful midfielder is on his way out.
“It was extremely reckless, and I want to go on record in saying that some of the reports were extremely malicious and trying to destabilise the environment, because the direction being taken was that when Rulani was at Pirates, Rakhale and [Diamond] Thopola left, so he’s got a personal agenda against these people,” added the former Pirates interim coach.
“So, it’s extremely nonsense. I’ve got a very, very good relationship with Rakhale. Thabo has a contract that is expiring. I have had several discussions with him about what he wants to do in the future.
“All of a sudden, I terminate a loan contract? It doesn’t work like that, it’s unethical and something I’d never do,” concluded the former Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach.
RELATED STORY: Mokwena: Chippa boss has shown willingness to keep me beyond the current period
By Tokelo Martin Mokhesi
