With a burning ambition to succeed, newly appointed Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena wasted no time in making his intentions clear as he revealed one promise he made to the club’s hierarchy.
Mokwena’s arrival in Morocco on Thursday evening wasn’t a low-key affair. A grand unveiling ceremony marked his official introduction as Wydad’s boss.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach joins Wydad on a three-year deal until 2027. He is expected to name his technical team in the next few days before starting with the new challenge. The 37-year-old was welcomed by Wydad president Hicham Ait Menna.
The Soweto-born coach’s arrival at Wydad wasn’t a quiet affair. Taking centre stage on Thursday evening, he addressed a throng of media at his official unveiling.
While addressing the media, Mokwena made it clear —not in so many words—that he isn’t settling for mediocrity at Wydad. During his discussions with the club’s management, he pledged to go above and beyond, promising to dedicate exceptional effort and go the extra mile to deliver triumphs for the club.
WHAT DID RULANI MOKWENA PROMISE TO WYDAD CASABLANCA PRESIDENT HICHAM AIT MENNA?
“I can tell you that there was one line that convinced me that this was the right project. When Mr Hicham asked if you could give us only 25 per cent of how you played in your previous club. I said, ‘I would give you 26 per cent. I will add an extra per cent,'” said Mokwena.
“When you work with people who believe in the philosophy and the ideology and the way you view football, it makes it a little bit easier because there is a common understanding. The language is the same. We want to win in a certain way.”
“Immediately after Wydad found out that I had left Sundowns, it only took the president and the board a couple of hours to get in contact with my agent [Steven Kapeluschnik]. Whom I also want to thank,” added Mokwena.
RULANI MOKWENA UNDERSTANDS THE BIG CHALLENGE IN MOROCCO
While expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Mokwena also addressed the media with a dose of realism.
The former Sundowns and Orlando Pirates coach acknowledged the significant challenge that lies ahead, recognising that leading the African football powerhouses, Wydad, will be no easy feat.
“I understand how big this challenge is. Believe me, I don’t come here with my eyes closed,” he said.
“The negotiations took quite a lot of time because there were quite a few things that we had to agree on. One thing I really appreciate is that the board is as ambitious as I am.
“They have committed themselves to giving us full support to wake up a sleeping giant. Our job is not to teach Wydad how to win as a football club. I mean [they have won] 22 league titles, three [CAF] Champions Leagues. It’s a team that knows how to win.”
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