Rulani Mokwena bags Wydad Casablanca job in Morocco

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jul 12, 2024. 15:13

Rulani Mokwena has been announced as the new head coach of Moroccan football club Wydad Casablanca following his unexpected departure from Mamelodi Sundowns.

The tactician put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at the club until 2027.

Mokwena parted ways with Sundowns last week much to the surprise of many, after he had led the team to a record-breaking seventh successive league title, which was also his fourth with the club over the years.

According to various reports, the 37-year-old had a fallout with the Sporting Director of the Brazilians regarding the transfers of players, promotion of youth players, as well as the direction that the club should be taking.

His assistant coaches at Wydad Casablanca will be his trusted partners Sinethemba Badela and Michael Loftman.

Mokwena follows the footsteps of Pitso Mosimane, who made a stunning career move when he became the coach of Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2020. Benni McCarthy was also one who made headlines when he was announced as a first-team coach at English club Manchester United.

The appointment of Mokwena shows a significant improvement in the quality and recognition of coaches being produced in South Africa.

Although he fell at the semifinal hurdle in the CAF Champions League final against Esperance, Mokwena qualified Mamelodi Sundowns for the FIFA Club World Cup.

“We’re going to have to put in a lot of work, a lot of hands-on deck, and push ourselves more. But at the same time, we are excited about the new direction we are taking,” said Mokwena after he joined Wydad.