Rulani Mokwena is being lined up for a potential move to Egyptian giants Zamalek SC, following his departure from Wydad Athletic Club and amid ongoing managerial instability at the Cairo-based side.
Zamalek, one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, has endured a turbulent season on the touchline despite recent continental success.
The club lifted the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup and the 2024 CAF Super Cup under the guidance of Portuguese manager José Gomes.
However, his tenure was cut short on 15 December 2024, in a surprising decision that began a wave of swift managerial changes.
Christian Gross was appointed shortly after, tasked with sustaining the club’s momentum.
The experienced Swiss coach, though, failed to meet expectations and was dismissed barely two months into the role, on 13 February 2025, after a string of disappointing performances.
The club then turned to José Peseiro, another Portuguese tactician, hoping to stabilise a faltering campaign.
But Peseiro’s reign fared little better. Zamalek were eliminated from the Confederation Cup, and a sequence of underwhelming domestic results left the board with no choice but to part ways with him on 7 May 2025.
In the interim, Egyptian coach Ayman El Ramadi has been tasked with overseeing first-team duties while the club searches for a long-term appointment.
In that search, Rulani Mokwena has emerged as a leading candidate.
The 37-year-old South African coach, known for his tactical acumen and progressive style, is reportedly being courted by the Zamalek hierarchy.
Initial discussions between the two parties have reportedly taken place, although a formal agreement has not yet been reached.
Mokwena’s potential appointment would mark his first experience in Egyptian football.
Despite his recent dismissal from Wydad, he remains highly regarded across the continent for his achievements in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, where he has earned praise for developing young talent and implementing a distinctive playing philosophy.
Zamalek’s board appears keen to rebuild around a fresh perspective, and Mokwena’s profile aligns with their vision of modernising the club’s footballing identity.
Should negotiations progress, the South African tactician could soon be tasked with restoring consistency to a team that has struggled to find stability on the bench.
As fans await official confirmation, all eyes will be on whether Mokwena takes up what could be one of the most high-profile managerial challenges of his career.
