WYDAD ANNOUNCE MOKWENA AS NEW HEAD COACH

Written by Kamogelo Mogale

Botola Pro 1 outfit Wydad Athletic Club have announced Rhulani Mokwena as their new head coach following his departure from DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns last week. The former Sundowns mentor enjoyed a successful spell with the Chloorkop based where he won four league titles, the inaugural African Football League title and was also named coach of the season at the PSL awards.

Mokwena’s arrival in Morocco on Thursday evening wasn’t a low-key affair as a grand unveiling ceremony marked his official introduction as Wydad’s boss and wasted no time in making his intentions clear as he revealed one promise he made to the club’s hierarchy. During his discussions with the club’s management, he pledged to go above and beyond, promising to dedicate exceptional effort and go the extra mile to deliver triumphs for the club.

“I can tell you that there was one line that convinced me that this was the right project. When Mr Hicham asked if you could give us only 25 per cent of how you played in your previous club. I said, ‘I would give you 26 per cent. I will add an extra per cent,’” said Mokwena.

“When you work with people who believe in the philosophy and the ideology and the way you view football, it makes it a little bit easier because there is a common understanding. The language is the same. We want to win in a certain way,” Mokwena further explained.

The Soweto-born coach joins Wydad on a three-year deal which will see him at the helm at the Red Castle until June 2027. He is expected to name his technical team in the next few days before starting with the new challenge. The 37-year-old was welcomed by Wydad president Hicham Ait Menna as seen on the club’s social media accounts.