Rulani Mokwena reacts to Wydad Casablanca appointment

SABC Sport broke the news of the interest in the 37-year-old tactician just days after parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns last week. Mokwena on Thursday put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Wydad and had this to say during his first press conference upon arrival.

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''Immediately after Wydad found out that I have left Sundowns, it only took the President, the board a couple of hours to get in contact with my agent, whom I also want to thank - Mr Steve Kapeluschnik for an incredible commitment and hard work that he has had to go through for the last couple of days. And it is only proper that I also thank my previous clubs, both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates,'' said Mokwena.

Despite the quick turnaround in agreeing terms, Mokwena insists that he is not oblivious to the challenge that lies ahead.

''I understand how big the challenge is, believe me I don't come here with my eyes closed, the negotiations have taken quite a long time because there were quite a few things we had to  agree on. One thing I really appreciate is that the board is as ambitious as I am and have committed themselves to giving us full support to wake up a sleeping giant,'' added Mokwena.

Wydad finished the previous Botola Pro League in a woeful sixth place, but with 22 titles and three CAF Champions League trophies to their name, Mokwena argues his task is only to “awake the sleeping giant”.

''Our work is not to teach Wydad how to win as a football club, I mean 22 league titles, three Champions Leagues - it is a team that knows how to win. Ours is just to come here and remind them what Wydad stands for, when you speak about love - when I did my history on the club I found that the word Wydad means love and appreciation. So the same love and appreciation I have once felt from the supporters as an opponent, I'm grateful that things have turned and now I receive the same amount of love and maybe even more as I join this incredible family,'' concluded Mokwena.

 Part of the reason Mokwena left Sundowns was over the alleged rift between the coach and sporting director Flemming Berg regarding player movements and style of play – among other burning issues.

He says he won’t have those concerns at Wydad.