Rulani Mokwena, former coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has joined Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club as their new head coach.
Rulani Mokwena kicks off new chapter in Morocco
Mokwena’s move to Wydad Athletic Club marks a significant milestone in his coaching career.
The announcement, made on Thursday, comes after Mokwena led Mamelodi Sundowns to their seventh successive league title, his fourth in four years.
Mokwena’s departure from Sundowns was reportedly due to a fallout with sporting director Flemming Berg over club management issues, including player transfers and youth promotions.
Mokwena, 37, will not be embarking on this new journey alone.
According to reports, he is expected to be joined by his trusted assistants, Sinethemba Badela and Michael Loftman.
Mokwena’s move to Wydad follows in the footsteps of Pitso Mosimane, another South African coach who made waves by taking over at Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2020.
Wydad Athletic Club, one of the largest and most successful clubs in Africa, offers Mokwena the opportunity to compete in high-profile tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup.
In a poetic twist, Mokwena has a history with Wydad, having previously defeated them to win the inaugural African Football League.
Key facts you must know about Wydad Athletic Club
Wydad Athletic Club, commonly known as Wydad, is a prestigious Moroccan sports club based in Casablanca.
Founded on 8 May 1937, by a group of Moroccans involved in the national independence movement, the club initially focused on water polo before expanding into football in 1939 under the guidance of Mohamed Ben Lahcen Affani, also known as “Père Jégo.”
Wydad is renowned for its dominance in Moroccan football.
The club has never been relegated from the top tier of the Moroccan football league system and has won a record 22 Moroccan league titles, along with numerous domestic and international trophies.
These include nine Moroccan Throne Cups, four Moroccan Elite Cups, and three CAF Champions Leagues, among others.
The club’s home kit is traditionally red, and they hold long-standing rivalries with Raja Casablanca and AS FAR from the capital.
Wydad’s success on the field and its historical significance make it one of the most celebrated clubs in Morocco and Africa.