Wydad AC Ultras slam club leadership after CAF Confederation Cup exit, demand Championship title

The Wydad Athletic Club supporters group, Winners Ultras, have issued a scathing statement following the team’s elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals, declaring that the continental exit cements the season as a failure and highlights the club’s struggle to reclaim its former African dominance.

In their strongly worded release, the fans argued that the setback was not surprising, but rather the culmination of “an accumulation of wrong decisions” that destabilized the squad and eroded Wydad’s identity both on and off the pitch. The statement criticized technical decisions made throughout the season, claiming they consistently fell short of supporters’ expectations.

The group reflected on the start of the campaign under coach Mokoena, who oversaw extensive recruitment during the summer transfer window and additional signings in winter. Despite these moves, the club suffered an early exit from the league title race, was eliminated from the Throne Cup, and missed out on a CAF Champions League qualification spot, which ultimately led to Mokoena’s departure.

Supporters also highlighted the subsequent appointment of coach Benhachem, who began well but was tasked with leading the team in the Club World Cup despite the need for a “high-caliber” coach according to the Ultras. The statement criticized the club’s recruitment strategy, noting that many new players were underutilized, while the technical staff failed to correct the course after a disappointing Club World Cup campaign that ended with three defeats.

The group did not shy away from blaming the players themselves, pointing to a perceived “lack of character” on the field, an excessive respect for opponents, and a mindset that treated certain results, like away draws, as satisfactory. Fans argued that these attitudes contributed directly to Wydad’s failures both domestically and continentally.

Winners Ultras held the club president and management accountable, asserting that merely dismissing a coach is insufficient without a full overhaul of the club’s management style. They criticized the leadership for its silence and suggested that marketing and communication efforts cannot make up for the absence of sporting success.

The statement also appealed to the players to honor the commitment of supporters, who have been described as the “only party” fulfilling their role through loyal attendance, financial backing, and moral support.

Concluding their release, the Winners Ultras made it clear that another trophyless season is unacceptable. They warned against the continuation of the current approach and insisted that winning the league championship is the only viable solution to restore the club’s prestige and satisfy the expectations of its passionate fan base.