Casablanca’s Wydad Athletic Club officially announced on Thursday the signing of South African coach Rulani Mokwena as the new head coach of the Moroccan club.
Well-informed sources said that “a meeting took place in Paris between Mokwena and Hicham Ait Mena, the delegated president of the football section and likely future chairman following the general assembly on July 16.”
During the meeting, both parties reportedly reached an agreement on the financial and technical details of the contract. Mokwena said that he will bring members of his former staff from his previous club Mamelodi Sundowns with him.
Mokwena’s primary mission will be to build a strong and competitive team. Wydad has recently experienced its worst-ever results in two decades and will not participate in any continental competitions next season. However, preparations are underway for the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, to be held in the United States.
Despite the sporting rivalry with Sundowns, Mokwena has always expressed admiration for the Moroccan club and its supporters.
During his visits to Casablanca for African matches, Mokwena frequently made a point to acknowledge and salute those in the north stands, who reciprocated with fervent respect.