sportskeeda
Wydad Athletic Club’s manager Rulani Mokwena has addressed his detractors, asserting his authority in decision-making at the Moroccan club as the pressure mounts to secure a spot in the CAF Champions League following a draw in the Casablanca derby.
The local rivals, Wydad and Raja, concluded their match with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night, with Houssine Rahimi equalizing after Mohamed Rayhi initially gave the Red Castle the lead. This outcome places the defending champions in seventh position with 38 points, raising the chances of missing continental competition next season.
Meanwhile, Mokwena’s team considers the draw a significant setback in their pursuit of a Champions League spot, as they currently trail FAR Rabat by one point, though FAR has a game in hand. Wydad ranks third with 44 points and has four matches left to play.
As a result, the South African coach has expressed concerns about the club’s ambitions to return to Africa’s elite club competition, acknowledging the challenges ahead but reaffirming his dedication to finishing the season despite the ongoing criticism and scrutiny.
“Indeed, it will be difficult because of the results, and it should be challenging; that’s part of being at a major club. Therefore, I must take risks to secure wins, and that’s the reality. If it’s not enough, that’s alright,” Mokwena remarked, alluding to his expected departure from Wydad at the end of the season.
“I assured you of my presence; I will see the season through. I plan to leave Wydad through the front door, not the back or by climbing out a window – I want to depart with great respect for the people of Morocco and the club. I’m a coach who takes risks; my aim is to win matches, plain and simple.”
While he recognizes that the upcoming challenges will escalate, Mokwena remains hopeful about clinching a Champions League berth, stating that the outcome is still within their control given their performance against their rivals.
“No, I don’t think so. I believe we have everything within our reach. I don’t see us as having failed; we played against the defending champions and outperformed them, so if that is what failure looks like, perhaps my view on failure in football differs,” he explained.
Moreover, tensions heightened when the 38-year-old coach was questioned about Saifeddine Bouhra’s absence from the derby, prompting Mokwena to confront the Moroccan media for their relentless scrutiny of his decisions, underscoring that he is responsible for the club’s trajectory.
“When I include Bouhra, you say he shouldn’t be playing – when he isn’t on the field, you ask about his absence. I’m the coach; I make the choices, yet you [media] continue to challenge me. Let me make my decisions and take ownership of them,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns manager asserted.
“I’ve distanced myself from social media. One reason is the distractions; everyone has an opinion. With five million Wydad fans, I can’t satisfy everyone; I must act according to my convictions.
“I have to do what I believe is right because even if we lose, I need to stand here [before the media] and in front of the players, knowing I made the right choices, regardless of the results.”
