By Michael Madyira
The president of the Wydad Casablanca football team in Morocco, Hicham Ait Menna, has appealed to the club’s hard-to-please fans to give new coach Rhulani Mokwena time to settle into his role.
Mokwena was named the team’s coach on Thursday, just a week after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns.
He arrived in Casablanca on a three-year deal, tasked with returning the North African giants to the CAF Champions League.
The three-time African champions will not participate in the premier continental competition next season after finishing sixth in the Botola League last term.
Mokwena has the challenging task of reclaiming the club’s glory days.
“I hope that the Wydad fans will be patient and give me and the coach a little time,” said Ait Menna, as per Elbotola.
“I know that they are thirsty, so it is natural that they will exert this great pressure.”
Ait Menna is under pressure to restore the club’s legacy.
“It has been 12 days since I was appointed president of Wydad, and everyone thinks that I have the staff of Moses, and it is not easy to find a coach worthy of the name of Wydad,” he said.
Mokwena has been given a blank cheque to shop for players in the transfer market.
“Starting this Saturday, the coach will begin making his choices, and starting next week, we will begin concluding contracts in line with Wydad’s needs and the coach’s plan,” said Ait Menna.
Wydad jumped at the opportunity to get Mokwena soon after Sundowns relieved him of his duties.
The Moroccans had previously courted the 37-year-old while he was still with the Tshwane giants.
“It is an honour for any individual to join the Wydad family and head a team like Wydad Athletic Club,” said Ait Menna.
Mokwena becomes the second South African coach to work in Morocco after Fadlu Davids trained champions Raja Casablanca last season as Josef Zinnbauer’s assistant.
Pictured above: Rhulani Mokwena is the new Wydad Casablanca coach.
Source: Wydad Casablanca
