The much-anticipated tactical showdown between Pep Guardiola and his so-called African counterpart, Rulani Mokwena, is officially off the table. Wydad Casablanca have sacked Mokwena just weeks before the expanded FIFA Club World Cup—abruptly ending a tenure that was built on ambition, possession football, and the promise of global recognition.
The South African coach was widely expected to lead Wydad into a landmark meeting against Guardiola’s Manchester City, a symbolic clash between mentor and protégé.
But after a sixth straight league draw (1-1) against Olympique de Safi on Wednesday—Wydad’s patience ran out. The following day, Mokwena’s fate was sealed during a meeting with club president Hicham Ait Mena.
It’s a dramatic twist for a coach hailed as one of the brightest young tacticians in African football. His Guardiola-inspired philosophy earned him the nickname “Africa’s Pep,” and his move to Morocco was supposed to be the stage where his ideas could thrive on a bigger canvas.
A Bold Start That Fizzled Fast
Mokwena arrived at Wydad in July 2024 with a clear vision. The club gave him a three-year deal and full support to overhaul the squad and technical bench.
Nearly 20 players were signed, and his backroom team included fellow South Africans Allan Freese (assistant coach), Sinethemba Badela (second assistant), Sibusiso Mahlangu (fitness trainer), and Sibusiso Makitla (analyst).
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He also brought in two high-profile South African players: Thembinkosi Lorch on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, and Cassius Mailula from Toronto FC. The expectation? Dominate Moroccan football and make a splash internationally.
But results never matched the hype. Across 35 matches in all competitions, Mokwena managed just 14 wins, alongside 14 draws and 7 defeats. While Wydad showed flashes of promise, the consistency needed for a title charge was missing.
By the time the draw with OC Safi rolled around, the atmosphere had shifted. Mokwena’s post-match press conference suggested a man running out of time. He didn’t need to wait long—less than 24 hours later, the club acted.
What Could Have Been
The sting of the decision is sharper given what lies ahead: Wydad’s place in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup. A potential clash against Guardiola’s City loomed—a headline-grabbing moment that would have pitted the master against his admirer. Now, it’s just a “what if.”
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Mokwena’s sacking means that Africa’s “Pep” won’t get the chance to test his ideas against the very man who shaped them. It’s a missed moment for African coaching on the global stage—and a painful reminder of how quickly things can unravel in football.
Wydad are expected to announce Mokwena’s exit officially by Friday morning. Attention will now turn to who steps in—and whether the club can salvage its Club World Cup campaign without the coach who was supposed to lead them into history.
