Rhulani Mokwena, the former coach of Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, is reportedly close to becoming the new head coach of Wydad AC, a major Moroccan football club.
Successful Track Record: Mokwena had an impressive stint with Mamelodi Sundowns, winning two domestic trophies last season and leading them to back-to-back CAF Champions League semi-finals. The tactician also lead Sundowns to victory in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) last season.
Continental Experience: His experience in African competitions is attractive to Wydad, who are looking to compete in continetntal competitions and return to dominance. More recently, the North African outfit suffered an early Champions League exit last season before a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Moroccan league.
Beat Wydad in a Final: He even defeated Wydad in the inaugural African Football League final, showcasing his tactical ability against them specifically.
Reason for Sundowns Departure
Mokwena left Sundowns after failing to win the CAF Champions League, a key objective. It remains to be seen if the pressure to win the Champions League will be different at Wydad.
Current Situation
Negotiations: Talks are ongoing between Mokwena and Wydad. Reports suggest Wydad offered him a three-year contract and the freedom to choose his backroom staff.
Competition: There might be competition for the job, with Wydad also considering Nabil Maaloul for the position.
Current Status: As of July 11, 2024, no official announcement has been made. Reports suggest Wydad is closing in on Mokwena, but the situation remains unresolved.
Uncertainties
Mokwena’s Decision: While Wydad seems keen, it’s not yet confirmed if Mokwena has accepted their offer.
Filling the Gap at Sundowns: Mamelodi Sundowns will now need to find a new coach to replace Mokwena.
In Closing
The potential signing of Mokwena would be a significant move for both sides. Wydad gets a promising coach with a winning mentality, while Mokwena gets a chance to manage a top African club and potentially compete for continental glory.
As per Moroccan outlet 360Sport, the Wydad delegation, led by deputy president Hicham Ait Menna, met Mokwena in Paris on July 8 to thrash out the modalities of the deal. Steve Kapelushnick, who is the coach’s long-time representative and attorney, made the trip to Casablanca on 10 July 2024 to seal the deal.