Rulani Mokwena makes bold promise to Wydad, Fadlu Davids backs him
Despite the rocky start, Wydad Athletic Club’s coach, Rulani Mokwena, has made a bold pledge to the club’s passionate fanbase.
Mokwena’s charges hit a roadblock after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to a 10-man RS Berkane on Saturday. This loss marked Wydad’s second consecutive defeat following a surprise loss to CODM Meknes midweek.
The defeat leaves Wydad seventh in the Moroccan Botola Pro League, while Berkane consolidated their position at the summit of the table. Despite playing with ten men for most of the second half, Berkane secured a crucial victory courtesy of Ayoub Khairi’s 75th-minute goal.
Despite the consecutive defeats, Mokwena remains steadfast in his belief in the team and his coaching philosophy.
WHAT IS RULANI MOKWENA’S BOLD PROMISE TO WYDAD FANS
“At big clubs, you have to win games,” Mokwena told journalists. “My philosophy and beliefs are mine, and I’ll die by them.”
“Someone from Egypt told me, ‘Mokwena, you need to win the CAF Champions League with Wydad.’ He said, ‘Pitso Mosimane never won the Premier League title with Al Ahly, but he won the Champions League.’ He told me, ‘I am the guy to win the Champions League with Wydad.’
While acknowledging Wydad fans’ high expectations, Mokwena remains optimistic about the future. “I understand the expectations of Wydad fans, but we will get there. Inshallah. When we get there, we have to improve and even get much better,” he said.
“I believe in this team, our staff, and our work. No coach comes in when the team finished 6th the previous season… with new players, new board, new staff, and to be honest, I thought we would have struggled more than we have. I think it’s a good start for Wydad; we are just three points off the top of the table.”
FADLU DAVIDS BACKING RULANI MOKWENA TO SUCCEED
Despite the recent setbacks, Fadlu Davids, formerly with Raja Casablanca, remains optimistic about Mokwena’s ability to turn things around at Wydad.
“I don’t think it’s about me giving him advice because he is a very good coach,” Davids told FARPost. The newly appointed Simba SC coach added: “I am 100% sure he will do well there. It’s just important for the club to give him time. Like myself, he has 17 new players to integrate.”
Having won the Botola Pro League with Jozef Zinnbauer, Davids understands what it takes to succeed in Morocco.
“I know exactly what he’s going through; it’s not easy to hit the ground running. With new players, you are still beginning to understand them. They come into a big club in Morocco, and every match is challenging when it comes to picking up points. I am confident he will achieve success, and I wish him all the best,” Davids concluded.
Mokwena’s Wydad side will look to bounce back when they take on FUS Rabat next Sunday in the league.
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