Wydad Athletic Club head coach Rulani Mokwena has defended his tactical adjustments following his side’s hard-fought 1-0 victory against Olympique Safi on Friday. Speaking at the post-match press conference, the South African tactician justified his squad rotations, highlighting the need to manage player fatigue and maintain team cohesion.
Mokwena dismissed suggestions that he had been frequently altering the team’s lineup in recent games.
“At the beginning, we made several adjustments due to the lack of automatism between the players,” he explained. “But in the last matches, the structure of an official Wydad formation is starting to take shape.”
Key Absences Due to Fatigue
One of the notable absences in the game was Walid Nassi, a decision Mokwena attributed to the player’s intense schedule with the local Moroccan national team.
Nassi recently traveled to Ivory Coast for two friendly matches and returned less than two days before Wydad’s high-profile derby against Raja Casablanca.
“Walid’s absence today was due to fatigue,” Mokwena said, emphasizing the importance of managing his players’ workloads.
The coach also explained his decision to bench Mehdi Moubarik and Ismail Moutaraji, both of whom had featured in the demanding derby and participated in the national team’s training camp.
Studying the Opposition
Mokwena credited his team’s performance against a resilient Olympique Safi side, noting the significance of thorough preparation.
“The opponent was not easy,” he acknowledged. “We studied Olympique Safi’s previous matches to better understand their game system.”
The coach praised his players for their effort and discipline, which ultimately secured the narrow victory.
Building Consistency
Mokwena’s tenure at Wydad has been marked by a period of adaptation, as he seeks to establish a consistent lineup and playing style.
Friday’s victory is seen as another step forward in his efforts to consolidate the team’s structure while navigating the challenges posed by player fatigue and a packed fixture schedule.
With the win over Olympique Safi, Wydad continues to build momentum as Mokwena’s vision for the team begins to take shape.
The South African coach remains focused on balancing performance demands with the physical well-being of his players, a strategy that could prove crucial as the season progresses.
