Rulani Mokwena’s Impactful Stint at Wydad AC Comes to an End
In a move that’s got Moroccan football circles and South African fans talking, Rulani Mokwena is officially done at Wydad Athletic Club. It’s not a messy split but a mutual agreement, marking the end of a tenure that’s felt both challenging and meaningful. Mokwena didn’t just clock in and coach matches. He tried to reshape a club hurting from recent losses, and he did it with both his head and heart.
He joined Wydad when expectations were on his shoulders, hoping to bring the club back to continental relevance. Mokwena’s farewell wasn’t just another cryptic coach statement. He got honest about the highs and the lows. He pointed to the team’s return to African competitions as a big win and noted a five-match streak where his side couldn’t stop winning. But the number that really pops is the 14-game unbeaten run in Botola, setting a new record for the club since its founding in 1937.
Challenges, Setbacks, and New Beginnings
It wasn’t all celebration, though. Mokwena didn’t shy away from admitting tougher moments—the defeat to MAS, a painful seven-game run of draws, and the background noise of club pressure. At one point, the stress became real enough for him to take a special leave. Some might see that as weakness, but Mokwena’s candor about the psychological toll of the job gives a real glimpse into what managing a top football club can do to a person.
Despite that, he stayed proud. Mokwena made it clear he believes the foundation he helped lay will serve Wydad in years to come. The coach didn’t forget to pay his respects. He praised the players for showing humility, passion, and talent. Staff, he said, went above and beyond. And to the famously dedicated Wydad fans, he showed gratitude for their energy, even during the rough patches. The club’s statement mirrored the sentiment, saying goodbye with thanks for his professionalism and vision.
Now, Mokwena is looking ahead. He’s ready to chase new roles in coaching and hopes to continue inspiring teams to play an open, crowd-pleasing style of football. He’s made it clear that, wherever he lands next, building up both players and clubs will still be at the heart of his work. His advice to Wydad? Don’t just settle—go grab your place among Africa’s best again.
The departure doesn’t just mark the end of a chapter for one coach—it puts the spotlight on the pressure cooker environment at top African clubs. Mokwena’s mix of achievements and setbacks shows just how much is at stake in high-level football, and why moments of vulnerability can sometimes matter just as much as the wins.
