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Komphela was like my high school teacher, says Mokoena

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach Rhulani Mokoena admits that it will be difficult facing his mentor Steve Komphela ahead of the clash with Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

Having recently conquered Africa with the CAF Champions League win, Sundowns will resume their Premiership title defence against Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld.

Mokoena, who was given a chance as a sports science student to join the Platinum Stars technical team by Komphela in 2009, acknowledged the impact Komphela has had on his career.

"It was Steve who gave me my first big break in professional football. I was 24 years old, still at university and he roped me into the Platinum Stars senior team structures in 2009," Mokoena told SowetanLIVE.

"I will never forget that. It's always emotional for me to face Steve - I remember all those days when he took me in. I don't know if I would be where I am today were it not for him. He was like my high school teacher."

Despite his admiration for Komphela, Mokoena insists that he wants nothing less than victory in the encounter.

"It's difficult to be a coach in SA when you've never been a professional. But I want to leave a footprint for young technicians who didn't play at the highest level to know that they can make it this far.

"I'm a professional and as much as I know what Steve did for me, I have to be loyal to Sundowns. I'm at an environment where I'm inspired to do even more because of our success."

Kick off is at 15:30.

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