Newly appointed Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed that he received a mouthwatering offer from a Dstv Premiership club before joining the Moroccan giants.
Rulani Mokwena leaving Mamelodi Sundowns was something no one would have predicted, however, it was revealed that there was a tension in the clubʼs management, which led to Rulani Mokwena being shown an exit door at the club.
Just few days after being released by Mamelodi Sundowns, Rulani Mokwena received several offers, however, he chose to join the Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
The Wydad Casablanca coach has finally revealed that he received a good offer from the KwaZulu-Natal based side, Richards Bay Football Club. Despite being tempted by the offer, Rulani Mokwena declined the Natal Rich Boyz offer because he was not ready to face Mamelodi Sundowns.
The coach felt it would be better to start a new chapter elsewhere, where he will not be forced to face his former side.
He further stated that he was happy about joining Wydad Casablanca because they will not be participating in the CAF Champions League next season. Even if they were participating in the CAF Champions League, he would have asked for a doctor’s note if it happened they face Wydad Casablanca in the competition.
Richards Bay Football Club recently announced that they have sealed a new sponsorship deal with Phakwe Gas which is worth R100 Million.
Sealing a deal with Phakwe Gas has gave the club a chance to grow and compete with the giants. They have already signed top players including Thabiso Kutumela and Siyethemba Sithebe.
Furthermore, the KwaZulu-Natal side has also been offered a chance to sign Thulani Serero and Keagan Dolly. However, they are yet to make a decision on those offers.
After failing to convince Rulani Mokwena to join the club, Richards Bay Football Club decided to stick with Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
Rulani Mokwena has spent most of his coaching career at the Chloorkop based side, Mamelodi Sundowns. He spent few years at Orlando Pirates and also few months at Chippa united.
After spending few years at Orlando Pirates, Rulani Mokwena returned to Mamelodi Sundowns in order to become the assistant manager of Pitso Mosimane.
Pitso Mosimane resigned at the club and joined Al Ahly back in 2020. That was when Mamelodi Sundowns decided to appoint Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi as the co-coaches at the club.
Due to poor performance, Manqoba Mngqithi was demoted, leaving Rulani Mokwena as the sole manager at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Rulani Mokwena believes playing against Mamelodi Sundowns players would feel like a betrayal to him. The coach wants more time to digest the situation and hopefully he would gain strength in the upcoming years at face the Dstv Premiership champions.
Even though he will not be facing Mamelodi Sundowns in the upcoming season, however, there is a great chance that he will face his former side in the future.
Wydad Casablanca are familiar with playing in the CAF Champions League as they have already won the competition three times. They will be hoping to lift yet another CAF Champions League trophy under Rulani Mokwena.
