Rhulani Mokwena's start to life in the Botola Pro did not go as he would have hoped after Wydad succumbed to Maghreb Fez in their 2024/25 league season opener.
Mokwena’s task is to restore the glory days of the Moroccan giants, who have not won the league in the past two seasons, and are not part of this season’s CAF Champions League.
After losing to 1-0 Maghreb, Mokwena revealed that the club are not yet done in the transfer market as they are looking for a player to lead their front line.
Wydad have already signed Cassius Mailula on loan from Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC, Abdelmounaim Boutouil from Mamelodi Sundowns while also signing a host of players on a free transfer.
We missed a lot yesterday , we will be back 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/m8fNPsOg5N
— Wydad Red Castle (@WydadRedCastle) August 31, 2024
“We are in the market for a striker for sure,” said Mokwena, whose Wydad side are believed to be keen on bringing in three-time Champions League winner Percy Tau on board.
Tau is currently enjoying off-season after helping Al Ahly clinch a 44th Egyptian Premier League title. Tau’s current contract with the club expires in June 2025, and if the club still have the South African in their plans, they would need to present a contract extension before he enters the last six months of his contract.
The Bafana Bafana forward would then be within his rights to sign a pre-contract elsewhere, meaning Ahly would lose him for free. Al Ahly bought Tau for a sum reported to be around €1,8 million (about R35 million) from English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Meanwhile, Mokwena emphasised that he is staying committed to the course together with his expansive technical team.
“Their (Wydad fans) pain is our pain. We understand what the club is going through. It has been a difficult two seasons, and we are swimming against the tide.
“But we knew that before we came here. It is a process and we signed a three-year contract. It is a project, and we want to be here and fulfil it and leave this club better than we found it,” Mokwena told Moroccan media.
Rulani Mokwena after yesterday’s defeat:
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) August 31, 2024
• I am a very bad loser
• Good opponent and congratulations to them.
• Happy with performance, disappointed with the results
• We are in the market for a striker
• Difficult last two seasons for Wydad
• Fans pain, is our pain too… pic.twitter.com/uhMwCpxriz
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