When a well-accomplished coach joins a big club, he is often expected to hit the ground running, and this is exactly what Rulani Mokwena has in mind after joining Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
The North African heavyweights appointed Mokwena and his expansive technical team two-year deals with an option to extend for a further year if the club are satisfied with the output.
Mokwena is aware of the need for immediate results alongside embedding his playing philosophy with the club making it clear that Wydad must return to the CAF Champions League.
Wydad will not participate in the continent’s premium inter-club competition for the first time in a decade, and for Mokwena to make sure that the three-time champions participate in the 2025/26 edition, he will have to win the Botola Pro 1 or finish as runners-up.
The Red Castle finished sixth this past season, even missing out on a CAF Confederation Cup spot.
“22 championships are an incredible feat. The most important thing is to leave the jersey better than where we found it. We will come to Wydad and it is not so important how we come and when we come, and how we are perceived when we come.
“What will be important is the impact we make on the people who work for the club and those who support this club,” Mokwena said on the Wydad YouTube channel.
“We are motivated and hungry to do very well in our first season and we are going to need the support of the current staff and the players who are still here in order for us to move this club in the right direction. But it is a process, and trying to deliver results with a certain way of playing takes time.
"In a big club you don't have time. The currency in a big club is results."
“At the same time, to be honest, we have to try and win. That is the most important thing and that allows you to leave the jersey better than you found it.
“Hopefully, we are here for a very long time, but when that time comes (to leave), hopefully, we will leave the jersey better than we found it,” he added.
During his time at Sundowns, Mokwena has come across Wydad in the Champions League, either as head coach, co-head coach or an assistant to Pitso Mosimane – The Red Castle usually came out on top.
The rivals have met 14 times since 2017 and Wydad usually have a slight upper hand with five wins against Sundowns’ four, while this fixture has produced five draws.
Mokwena inspires our youth, engaging with supporters for the first time! 👏❤ pic.twitter.com/oCCZkAelRK
— Wydad Red Castle (@WydadRedCastle) July 17, 2024
“The president (Hicham Ait Menna) was reminding me that I am the only South African coach to, er, er… Sundowns coach to beat Wydad and it gives us a great feeling that we come here with so much respect, confidence and belief that is given to us to carry on with our work and try our level best to give everything that we can.
“We are excited as a coaching team and we are looking forward to starting the season and working hard,” said Mokwena.
While the 37-year-old claims that he is the first Sundowns or South African coach to beat Wydad, history reveals that Mosimane is the most successful Mzansi-born mentor in matches against The Red Castle.
‘Jingles’ got better of Wydad on four occasions, three times with Masandawana and once with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. However, Mokwena did beat Wydad in the inaugural African Football League over two legs.
Watch Mokwena’s full interview below
