The ball is in motion and it is fully in Rulani Mokwena's court, who has begun the process of blooding in his philosophy at Wydad Casablanca. But that's just the beginning - there is still a lot of groundwork to do. And that needs to happen quickly.
In football terms, a two-year deal can be a long or short time, depending on how you look at it, but most importantly, it usually all goes down to the club’s demands and the mandate given to the technical team.
While there is huge excitement about Mokwena taking charge of Wydad, the Moroccan giants have developed a tendency to be trigger-happy, and they are synonymous with not being patient as they’ve employed and sacked 14 coaches in the last five years.
Mokwena’s mandate might not be brandished in public by the club, but it is clear as a day that Wydad are expecting nothing less than winning the Botola Pro 1 and returning to the CAF Champions League.
READ: Thembinkosi Lorch is the reason why Rulani Mokwena got sacked at Mamelodi Sundowns, says Jomo Sono
There is little doubt that Mokwena has the capabilities and know-how to take a team to great heights, and here, Hollywoodbets Sports looks at the few, but not limited to, checks and balances the former Sundowns coach would need to focus on in his infant months at the Wydad.
Mokwena’s average experience
As a head coach, Mokwena has only managed two teams, unless you count the ‘two minutes’ he spent at Chippa United.
Mokwena hardly ever wants to talk about his tenure at Pirates, but whenever he hints at time spent as head coach of the Buccaneers – Mokwena acknowledges that it was a painful experience but yet a learning curve.
Well, his stats at the helm of the Sea Robbers read as follows: five draws, as defeats, and four wins. It was at Sundowns where he stood on his own and obliterated almost every record.
Downs only lost one DStv Premiership match last season and broke Mosimane’s record of 71 points which stood for almost a decade, as Mokwena wrapped up his term on 73 points.
A point to prove?
Mokwena’s uncle, South African football darling Jomo Sono, has told him to not put himself under any pressure, insisting that Mokwena should not put himself under pressure. But maybe that was just a nephew-uncle warm-hearted kind of conversation.
The reality of the matter is that Mokwena needs to prove himself and show everyone at Sundowns the kind of quality that they’ve let go.
Teams and coaches separate all the time, but the manner in which Mokwena exited Chloorkop suggests there might have been a few middle fingers pointed at each other.
"I don't like revenge because revenge comes from a dark place."
More often than not, when a coach is sacked and moves on to the rivals of that club – there is always an underlying intention to prove a point.
Wydad have been Sundowns’ Achilles heel in the Champions League, even under the reign of Mosimane. Given the nature of the Champions League, Downs and Wydad are likely to meet, and when they do – revenge will be on the cards.
No immediate Champions League pressure
If you were to ask Mokwena when he was at Sundowns: Which trophy would you like to win? Chances are high that his answer would have been the Champions League.
This is the one title that has proven to be elusive at Sundowns, who only won it in 2016, where he served as an assistant to Pitso Mosimane. Their first attempt was in 2001 when they lost against Al Ahly over two legs.
Since 2016, Mokwena, under Mosimane and alongside Manqoba Mngqithi, and recently as a sole head coach, has struggled to strike gold in the inter-club competition.
However, he would be happy to have some breathing space as Wydad are not part of next season’s Champions League.
Pressure to win the league
Wydad are the most successful team in the Botola Pro 1 with 22 titles, but they have not been able to get their hands on the trophy in the past two seasons.
There is immediate pressure for Mokwena to deliver the league crown in his first season as that would guarantee Champions League football. A second-place finish would also be enough for Wydad to qualify for the Champions League.
Wydad finished fifth in the league, a staggering 28 points behind champions and rivals Raja Casablanca. Mokwena will need to chisel out a way to narrow the gap.
On this day in 2021, we secured our 21st botola 🏆.
— Wydad Red Castle (@WydadRedCastle) July 15, 2024
Bring it back mr Rulani Mokwena 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/dSGvkdW7RY
