Rhulani Mokwena’s reign at Wydad Athletic Club got off to a blistering start as the Moroccan giants demolished Tanzanian outfit Azam FC 4-1 in a pre-season friendly. The emphatic victory serves as an early statement of intent for a club aiming to reclaim its place at the summit of African football.
Having finished a disappointing fifth in the Botola Pro last season and missed out on continental competition entirely, Wydad is undergoing a substantial rebuild under the South African tactician. The clash against Azam provided Mokwena with a valuable opportunity to assess his squad’s progress and implement his tactical philosophy.
The fixture was a showcase of attacking flair from the hosts. While Azam managed to open the scoring through a 39th-minute penalty converted by Cheikh Sidibé, Wydad responded swiftly with an equalizer from new signing Mohamed Rayhi just before halftime.
The second half belonged entirely to Wydad as they turned up the pressure, overwhelming their opponents with a relentless attacking display. Mounir El Habach, Chouaib Faidi, and Mohamed El Ouardi were the architects of the victory, each contributing a goal to secure a comfortable 4-1 triumph.
With the Botola Pro League kicking off on August 25th, the pressure is mounting on Mokwena to deliver immediate results. This convincing win against Azam will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence as they strive to challenge for the domestic title and return to the CAF Champions League.
The South African coach will be eager to build on this positive start and continue to shape his Wydad side into a formidable force both domestically and continentally.