Former Wydad Athletic Club head coach Rhulani Mokwena has shed light on the personal sacrifices and difficult working conditions he endured during his 10-month stint with the Moroccan giants.
Speaking on the “Marawa Sports Worldwide” show, the South African tactician revealed that he often used his own money to cover salaries for some players and technical staff, as well as to purchase training equipment. Despite his commitment, Mokwena said he went unpaid for eight of the 10 months he spent at the club.
“It was a time full of challenges and hardships,” he reflected. “I made daily efforts and signed strategic players to strengthen the team, yet the lack of support made the experience deeply frustrating.”
Mokwena disclosed that his loyalty to the club was questioned, even as he made financial and professional sacrifices to keep the team competitive.
“I told the club president, ‘I can’t keep investing this much, working to bring in almost free players, only to have my loyalty doubted,’” he recounted.
The 37-year-old pointed to internal resistance as a major hurdle, citing some officials’ preference for a local coach and difficulties navigating language and cultural barriers. He also lamented the lack of unity within the squad and management, drawing comparisons with Wydad’s fierce rivals.
“I asked my players how Raja Casablanca managed to win the double under similar circumstances. The answer was simple: they fought. That level of commitment was sometimes missing on our side,” he said.
Mokwena also dismissed reports linking him with a potential move to join Pep Guardiola’s setup for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, calling the speculation “absurd.”
“I wouldn’t have gone through all that only to leave. I was there to work, not to run away,” he insisted.
Ultimately, Mokwena said it was his own decision to step down, after concluding that the situation was beyond repair. His departure brought an end to a strained tenure that highlighted deeper structural issues within Wydad, despite the club’s lofty ambitions.
Mokwena’s exit came after a disappointing season that saw Wydad finish third in the Botola Pro, missing out on CAF Champions League qualification. The club also suffered an early elimination from the Throne Cup at the hands of Moghreb Tétouan, further weakening his position ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup.
Though he had signed a deal running until June 2027, fan frustration grew over Wydad’s performances—most notably their failure to contend for the league title, which was sealed by RS Berkane with seven games to spare.
In recent times, Mokwena has been linked to Zamalek SC and Pyramids FC.
