Wydad Casablanca revealed in a statement that head coach Rulani Mokwena has been granted “exceptional leave” until the end of the season, and that the two parties will officially part ways after the final league game.
Yet, the statement also noted that there will be no financial compensation involved, despite the contract still being active and the objective of finishing second not yet settled.
The club’s latest announcement regarding Mokwena has stirred confusion about the club’s current goals and leadership structure, especially as the fight for second place – and a Champions League spot – remains undecided.
The move comes despite a clause in Mokwena’s contract clearly stating that he would only remain in charge if he secured a top-two finish — a goal still mathematically possible. Failure to do so would trigger a termination without compensation.
Wydad’s sporting director Amine Benhachem has now been parachuted in to take over the first team until the end of the campaign, throwing Mokwena’s status into complete disarray and fuelling speculation that the club has quietly thrown in the towel.
Fans were quick to voice their frustrations online. “It’s clear the board has no idea what it’s doing. You paid a fortune for a coach who asked for a Sundowns-style project…and you give up with three matches left?” one supporter wrote.
Another comment read: “Second place is still in play! A win against AS FAR could change everything. Why surrender with nine points still available?”
With three games remaining and a slim six-point margin separating Wydad from AS FAR, the coming weeks may yet bring more drama, on and off the pitch.
