Rulani Mokwena, the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach, faced a tense situation on Sunday after his team, Wydad Athletic Club, lost 2-0 to RS Berkane in the Botola Pro League. This defeat, marking their second in under a week, has pushed Wydad to seventh place with only 11 points from eight games. The growing frustration among Wydad supporters became evident when some began throwing objects onto the pitch in protest, expressing discontent with the team’s recent performance under Mokwena.
The post-match atmosphere intensified, requiring Mokwena to be escorted by police as he made his way to the tunnel. His arrival at Wydad earlier this year followed an unexpected departure from Sundowns, where he had successfully clinched the league title. His objective now is to bring Wydad back to the top of the Moroccan league and secure their return to the CAF Champions League—a position they missed this season due to last year’s sixth-place finish.
Following Sunday’s match, Mokwena expressed his disappointment but maintained optimism about the team’s development. “I believe in this team, our staff, and our work. We will grow, and we have to face difficult moments,” he told reporters, as quoted by iDiski Times.
Mokwena acknowledged that building a cohesive unit with new players and staff is challenging, particularly for a club previously positioned outside the top tier. He admitted, “To be honest, I thought we would struggle more. Being just three points off the top by match day eight was a promising start.”
Reflecting on the disappointing outcome, he emphasised his commitment to achieving success for Wydad’s devoted fanbase. “The fans deserve better results—they were amazing and supported us. I think their support influenced the performance. We played well, but big clubs must win games,” he concluded.
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