April 10, 2025
Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena has confirmed that he will see out the rest of the 2024/25 Botola Pro 1 season before parting ways with the Moroccan giants in a mutual agreement.
With just five fixtures remaining and Wydad currently in third place on the league table, Mokwena and the club’s management have decided on an amicable split at the end of the campaign.
Mokwena’s agent, Steve Kapeluschnick, exclusively told Hollywoodbets Sports that the 38-year-old coach is fully committed to finishing the job he started.
“I flew to Morocco to meet with the president, Hicham Ait Menna, and we had honest conversations about the future,” said Kapeluschnick. “The agreement is clear — Rulani will continue to lead the team through the final stretch of the season and depart respectfully thereafter.”
Despite reports of growing pressure both internally and externally, Kapeluschnick emphasized the mutual respect between Mokwena and Wydad’s leadership.
“The president has stood by Rulani, and that respect has always been reciprocated,” he added. “They’ve decided it’s best to part ways at season’s end, but the relationship remains strong.”
Since joining Wydad in June 2024, Mokwena has faced immense challenges — from rebuilding the squad with close to 30 new signings to dealing with the weight of instant expectations.
“Rulani and his technical team came into a high-pressure environment, essentially building a new squad from scratch,” Kapeluschnick explained. “Despite adversity, they’ve worked tirelessly and currently sit in third place — an impressive feat given the circumstances, including some questionable officiating along the way.”
The South African tactician, known for his meticulous approach and tactical sharpness, has barely stepped foot back home — returning to South Africa only once in 10 months, and that was to lay his grandmother to rest.
“Even during mourning, he was on conference calls, prepping his team,” said Kapeluschnick. “He sacrificed so much personally to lead Wydad.”
Mokwena, a former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, remains one of the most coveted young managers on the continent. He led Sundowns to a historic points haul in the PSL before taking on the challenge in Morocco.
As the campaign draws to a close, Mokwena is determined to leave Wydad on a high note — out of gratitude for the fans, the players, and a president who believed in him from day one.
“He loves this team. He feels a deep sense of responsibility to finish strong for the supporters and the club,” Kapeluschnick concluded.
The countdown begins — five games to go, and Mokwena wants to make every one count.