Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena has reportedly been warned against a confrontational approach with the club’s supporters.
Mokwena has come under pressure in recent matches after three straight draws left the Moroccan giants in a tough battle for second place, which comes with qualifying for the CAF Champions League.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was on the receiving end during his team’s 2-2 draw with FUS Rabat last week when disappointed supporters threw objects at him and his players following a late goal scored by their opponents.
Mokwena gestured towards them in anger and followed it up with a scathing attack in his post-match press conference.
Mokwena did not hold back towards fans
“I’m happy with the effort of the players, and it makes me happy. In football, you can’t win every game. I can’t sit here every time and explain that football is win, lose or draw; even Wydad cannot win every game,” said Mokwena.
“I’ve grown up in football, ever since I was a kid, and I have an understanding that in football it’s about effort, commitment and you give everything that you can.
“So, if you win, excellent; if you lose because the opponent is better, you shake hands and go try to improve. If you draw, you look at the positives and also fix the negatives.
“I know you guys don’t want me to say this, but we are a new team; it’s 26 new players, and we are fighting for a Champions League spot. I understand we haven’t won anything in two years; I understand there’s hunger for Champions League, and believe me, there’s no one who’s more hungry to play Champions League than me. I was in the semifinals two years in a row [with Sundowns].
Rulani fasting with his Wydad players
“Look, I had options to join clubs that play Champions League. I saw how Wydad fans love their team and show love to me, this is why I didn’t go to AS FAR, this is why I didn’t go to Raja [Casablanca]. But what I see now, the lack of support, the lack of patience, and it’s not easy guys.”
Mokwena went ahead to talk about some of the sacrifices he is making to ensure the Moroccan giants return to their former glories, including fasting.
“Do you know that this is my first Ramadan as a coach? It’s difficult, I’m fasting with the players so that I can feel what they are going through,” he added.
“What I see every week, throwing of bottles and all of that, I don’t like it. Maybe some people don’t want me here for long, and that’s okay, but while I’m here, Wydad will fight till death.”
What has the tactician been told to avoid?
However, those comments appear not to have gone down well with some fans and the club hierarchy appear keen to avoid a further straining of relationship, hence their latest warning to the coach.
“Mokwena was warned by the club’s dissatisfaction with his gestures towards the supporters during the match against FUS Rabat in response to their criticism about the team’s performance,” a source told Kooora.
“He was reminded that he should not get involved in such matters. He will, however, continue with his duties until the end of the season with the same objectives.”
Mokwena has won 11 of his 24 league matches in charge, drawing nine and losing four, to take their tally to 42 points, same as second-placed FAR Rabat, with FUS Rabat just two behind them.
They had started 2025 with five straight wins that had given them some breathing space in second place but three straight draws thereafter have allowed their rivals to close in.
