”One thing I really appreciate is that the board is as ambitious as I am and has committed themselves to giving us full support to wake up a sleeping giant.”
These were the words of Rulani Mokwena during his official unveiling as the new head coach of Wydad AC.
To the surprise of many, he looks to be keeping up with his words and has positioned the club in a good spot for a return to CAF competitions.
Before Mokwena’s takeover, Wydad had experienced a disastrous 2023/24 season, finishing sixth on the log with 44 points and failing to qualify for continental competitions.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach started his term as head coach of three-time CAF champions Wydad Casablanca with a 1-0 loss to MAS Fes.
However, there has been a significant turnaround since that initial setback, as he has successfully adjusted to the challenges of the Moroccan league.
He bolstered his squad with several players that he had previously worked with including Cassius Mailula, Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Thembinkosi Lorch who joined during the January transfer window.
At some point, Mokwena’s future at the club was uncertain following a series of unfavourable results.
“The president [Hicham Ait Menna] and the board know that I have a contract. Yes, we are Wydad, and we should never lose like that, and that’s why I apologise to the club and everybody at the club, especially the supporters, as they deserve so much better.
“To what the future holds is for the club to decide, but I want to be here…with all my heart because I love the club and I am doing my best, but we have to win as coaches, and we have not won enough matches yet,” he said after suffering a heavy 4-1 loss against MAS Fes on 28 December.
The 37-year-old has managed to turn things around and revive the Casablanca giants, currently second on the log with 39 points from 26 matches. They are now on a five-match winning streak, scoring 13 goals and conceding three during this period.
In his 26 matches at the helm, he has secured 13 victories, played seven draws and suffered six defeats.
They currently lead the Botola Pro League with 34 goals scored this season, closely followed by RS Berkane and AS FAR, both tied with 33 goals.
Mokwena’s Wydad is set to partake in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup where he is grouped with Juventus, Al Ain and Manchester City, currently managed by his idol Pep Guardiola.
The tournament will kickstart on 14 June and Wydad will open their campaign by clashing with Man City on 18 June.