South African coach Rulani Mokwena has reportedly requested the presence of his agent and personal lawyer in Morocco before officially finalising his departure from Wydad Athletic Club.
Mokwena and the Moroccan club parted ways at the end of the 2024/25 season after he failed to meet key performance targets, including qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League.
While initial reports suggested that Mokwena had already signed a contract termination agreement with Wydad, new information indicates the 38-year-old has yet to put pen to paper.
Last month, it was revealed that Mokwena and his South African technical team had gone unpaid for eight months. The coach is still owed several months’ salary and various match bonuses, with no payments made since his exit.
According to sources, Mokwena has now asked for his agent and legal counsel to be present in Morocco to oversee the signing of his separation agreement with Wydad.
He is also expected to meet with club president Hicham Ait Menna, with whom he reportedly maintains a positive relationship, to resolve the financial dispute and formally terminate his contract.
“The coach asked President Ait Mena to have his agent and lawyer present in Morocco so he could sign the separation agreement,” a source said to WinWin.
“It appears that the man has begun to backtrack on the promises he made recently, immediately after signing coach Amin Ben Hachem and a new technical staff.
“The president of Wydad Ait Mena told the South African coach he has the right to call his agent, which puts the club in an awkward position before participating in the Club World Cup.”
The ongoing contractual standoff places Wydad in an awkward situation, especially with their upcoming participation in the Club World Cup.
