The tenure of South African coach Rhulani Mokwena at Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club has reportedly hit a significant snag, with reports revealing a concerning eight-month period of unpaid salary for the highly-rated mentor.
This breach of contract has brought the two parties to a critical juncture, with discussions scheduled this week to determine whether Mokwena will depart the Casablanca-based club with immediate effect or see out the remaining five fixtures of the Botola Pro League season.
Mokwena’s move to Wydad ahead of the start of the season followed his unexpected departure from South African football powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns. His arrival in Casablanca was met with considerable enthusiasm, suggesting a promising partnership.
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However, sources indicate that the reality on the ground has been far from ideal for the 38-year-old coach, primarily due to the alleged non-payment of his salary since his appointment.
According to the report, it is understood that Mokwena has had to personally fund the acquisition of essential equipment. Furthermore, SABC Sport has reliably learned that the backroom staff he brought with him to Morocco – including experienced coach Allan Freese, performance analyst Sinethemba Badela, and goalkeeper coach Sean Louw – have also allegedly not received their due compensation since their arrival.
Despite the protracted financial issues, Mokwena has reportedly not yet authorized his representatives to formally lodge a complaint with FIFA regarding the contract breach, although such action has been strongly advised.
The former Orlando Pirates and Chippa United tactician signed a contract with Wydad until June 2027. However, his time at the club has also been marked by pressure from supporters who had high expectations of championship success.
The disappointment of the Wydad faithful was compounded when RS Berkane secured the league title with seven matches still to play. Nevertheless, Mokwena still has the opportunity to guide Wydad to a coveted spot in either the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup in the remaining league games.
Consequently, it is understood that Mokwena’s representatives are scheduled to travel to Casablanca for crucial discussions. Should the coach decide to remain with Wydad, the club will reportedly be required to make a firm commitment to settling their outstanding financial obligations or potentially face intervention from FIFA.
Intriguingly, Wydad’s appointment of Mokwena occurred while the club was under a transfer ban. However, they managed to resolve the issue just in time to embark on a significant recruitment drive, signing an astonishing 22 new players, a testament to the initial ambition surrounding Mokwena’s arrival despite the subsequent financial turmoil.