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Rhulani Mokwena’s agent has confirmed that the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach will leave Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca at the end of the season.
The 38-year-old has seen his tenure in Morocco cut short after a string of results that brought their season to a juddering halt, ending the season trophyless and failing to qualify for next season’s CAF Champions League.
Despite being just months into what was meant to be a three-year project, the two parties “mutually agreed” to part ways following a dreary 1-1 draw away to Olympique Safi on Wednesday – Wydad’s fifth straight match without a win in the league.
After the draw, Mokoena didn’t even bother to turn up for the post-match press conference. The Moroccan federation’s disciplinary committee is expected to slap him with a 20,000 dirham fine for the no-show, as stipulated by league regulations.
Mokoena oversaw 35 matches in total — 27 in the Botola Pro, two in the Cup of the Throne, and six in the CAF African Football League. His tally is rather underwhelming, with 11 wins, 12 draws, and 4 defeats. The young coach’s appointment was exciting and promising on paper, but the lack of consistency and failure to win since mid-February sealed his fate.
According to Afrik-Foot, five key blunders derailed Mokoena’s Casablanca stint:
- Too fast, too soon
Mokwena leapt at Wydad’s offer just days after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns. His hasty decision has backfired, suggesting he simply was not mentally and tactically prepared for the shift.
- Thin squad, thick expectations
Wydad finished sixth last season. Yet fans demanded instant glory. Mokoena found himself handed a half-baked squad and unrealistic ambitions.
- Signings galore, chemistry nil
Dozens of players were roped in, but few made any impact. The squad lacked cohesion, and it showed in their mediocre performances throughout the season.
- Drought of victories
A promising start nosedived into a draw-fest. Since 16 February, not a single win — cue panic stations.
- Mouth too loose
Mokoena’s public grumbles about squad quality didn’t sit well with fans or the board. It smacked of deflection and sparked mutiny in the stands.
Wydad fans on social media weren’t exactly in weeping to see the back of Mokwena at the end of the season: One user scoffed: “He flopped at Sundowns with billion-dirham players and no pressure. You expected miracles with Harraqas and Boutouil?”
Another posted: “Mokoena didn’t understand Moroccan football. Wydad needs trophies, not TED Talks.”
A third went for the jugular: “He’s never reached a CAF final even with Sundowns. Mediocre, plain and simple.”
Others blamed poor recruitment: “Some players just aren’t up to scratch. This isn’t all on the coach.”
Either way, Wydad have now appointed Moroccan head coach Amine Benhachem to clean up the mess, steady the ship, and prepare Wydad for the FIFA Club World Cup that runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States next summer.
