Latest news with #BotolaProLeague
TimesLIVE
24-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Rulani Mokwena pens emotional letter to Wydad fans as he leaves the club
Rulani Mokwena has penned an emotional letter to Wydad Casablanca players, supporters and staff after his departure from the club after nine turbulent months in Morocco. During his tenure, when he received persistent criticism from supporters and a section of former players, Mokwena was in charge of 27 Botola Pro League matches. During his time in charge, he managed 11 wins, 12 draws and four defeats and was absent from the last three matches after being put on special leave. Wydad ended the regular season in third place with 54 points from 30 games and because of this they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the second successive season. 'With heartfelt gratitude, I'm stepping away from my role at Wydad AC to embark on the next chapter of my coaching journey,' Mokwena said in the letter.
The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rulani Mokwena on a brink of signing with a new club?
South African coach Rulani Mokwena is on the verge of joining Egyptian giants Zamalek. The 38-year-old recently parted ways with Wydad Casablanca after just one season. The team finished third in the Botola Pro League but had to fight through a difficult midseason. At one point, it seemed Wydad would finish second and qualify for the CAF Champions League, but a streak of seven consecutive draws ultimately led to Rulani Mokwena's dismissal. The coach bid farewell after the club played their last match of the season, although he was not on the bench for the final three matches. The 38-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor has been linked to Zamalek this week. 'South African coach Rulani Mokwena is close to embarking on a new coaching experience in the Egyptian Premier League after receiving an offer from Zamalek to take over the team for the upcoming period,' Radio Mars reported. 'This development comes just hours after Wydad Athletic Club announced the mutual termination of Mokwena's contract, following a period in which he had not achieved results that satisfied fans' expectations,' they concluded. Mokwena was recently linked to Orlando Pirates after the Soweto giants parted ways with Jose Riveiro. The former Downs coach has been at the Buccaneers before, but his tenure was unsuccessful. Many Pirates fans were not keen on having Rulani Mokwena back and instead asked for the club management to call on experienced South African coach Pitso Mosimane. Jingles has been available since leaving Iran earlier this year. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Wydad Athletic confirm Rulani Mokwena's departure
Mokwena has wished Wydad well in the next season. Wydad Athletic have finally confirmed the departure of head coach Rulani Mokwena. The Moroccan outfit's announcement comes weeks after the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was placed on 'special leave' following a string of poor results. ALSO READ: Ncikazi praises Pirates youngsters after win over SuperSport Utd Mokwena joined Wydad ahead of the Botola Pro League season after being sacked by Mamelodi Sundowns, amid fanfare. However, things did not go as planned and South African coach was sacked before the campaign ended. Now Wydad have confirmed that they have terminated Mokwena's contract with immediate effect. 'Wydad Athletic and Rulani Mokwena have mutually agreed to terminate their contract with immediate effect,' read the club statement on Tuesday night. 'The club expresses its deepest gratitude to coach Mokwena and his technical staff for their unwavering commitment, hard work and sacrifices during a challenging season.' In the same statement, Mokwena said his goodbye to Wydad and wished the club well in the next season. As I say goodbye, I carry unforgettable memories from Wydad, a club that will forever remain in my heart,' said Mokwena. 'I wish the team, staff, and fans tremendous success in the new season and the Club World Cup. May you continue to make history and inspire us all. Dima Wydad.' Meanwhile, as reported earlier, Mokwena is said to be the favourite to replace Jose Riveiro as head coach of Pirates. ALSO READ: Chiefs coach Nabi – 'This news is bad for me' Riveiro left Pirates recently after a successful stay at the club. The Spaniard is reportedly going to replace Marcell Koller as the new Al-Ahly head coach.
The South African
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates get huge boost in Rulani chase
Orlando Pirates will be encouraged by developments over Rulani Mokwena's future at Wydad AC in Morocco. Former Sundowns boss Rulani Mokwena, still just 38, looks set to leave Wydad AC after a season in charge of the Botola Pro League outfit. Orlando Pirates' league title challenge looks to be in tatters after their 0-1 home defeat to Sekhukhune. It leaves them 12 points adrift of leaders Sundowns, albeit with two games in hand. Key defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will miss the clash with Chiefs after his red card against Babina Noko. It's been a bad week for the Sea Robbers, who also tumbled out of the Caf Champions League at the semi-final stage. Chaine; Van Rooyen, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Mabasa . We could see Patrick Maswanganyi return to the XI, allowing manager Riveiro to revert to a back four. Tapelo Xoki should deputise for the suspended Sibisi. Elsewhere, Tshegofatso Mabasa is often the first-choice attacker in domestic league outings. Latest Bucs transfer rumours These sworn Soweto Derby rivals meet in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, 03 May at 15:00. They meet again the following Saturday, 10 May in the Nedbank Cup final. That match also kicks off at 15:00. It's crunch time! Orlando Pirates dominate the recent H2H Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Three missing cops found dead
Here's your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes the South African Police service (Saps) has confirmed that three of the five bodies discovered in the Hennops River in Centurion are those of the police constables who were reported missing. Meanwhile, transport minister Barbara Creecy says government remains concerned about the number of pedestrian deaths, despite a marked decrease in both road fatalities and accidents during the 2025 Easter period. Furthermore, Wydad Casablanca have confirmed that they have placed head coach Rulani Mokwena on special leave, pending the termination of his contract at the end of the Botola Pro League season. Weather tomorrow: 30 April 2025 Saws warns of disruptive rain in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, where damage to mud-built houses is expected. Very cold, wet and windy weather conditions are also expected in parts of the Northern and Western Capes. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Bodies of three missing constables identified by families The South African Police service (Saps) has confirmed that three of the five bodies discovered in the Hennops River in Centurion are those of the police constables who were reported missing. The bodies of 24-year-old Constable Cebekhulu Linda, 30-year-old Constable Keamogetswe Buys, and 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge have been positively identified by their families on Tuesday. Missing missing police officers, Constable Keamogetswe Buys, Constable Boipelo Senoge and Constable Cebekhulu Linda confirmed dead after bodies recovered from Centurion's Hennops River. Pictures: Supplied. Police later confirmed that five bodies had been found at the site in Hennops River. Though none have been identified yet, it is thought that some of them could be the missing constables. CONTINUE READING: Bodies believed to be of three missing police officers recovered at Hennops River Man accused of gouging ex-girlfriend's eyes with screwdriver denied bail as Mchunu condemns incident Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned violence against women after a 36-year-old man accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend was denied bail. Zenzele Xaba appeared at the Richmond Magistrate's Court, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday for his formal bail application. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Picture: X / @Senzo_Mchunu_ He is facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and attempted murder. CONTINUE READING: Man accused of gouging ex-girlfriend's eyes with screwdriver denied bail as Mchunu condemns incident Easter road fatalities down, but pedestrian deaths still a major concern Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says government remains concerned about the number of pedestrian deaths, despite a marked decrease in both road fatalities and accidents during the 2025 Easter period. On Tuesday, Creecy released the Easter road safety report, which covered the period from 17 to 21 April. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. Picture: GCIS Addressing the media, the minister announced that this year's Easter weekend saw the lowest number of crashes and road deaths in the past three years. CONTINUE READING: Easter road fatalities down, but pedestrian deaths still a major concern Godongwana unlikely to be fired over VAT impasse – analyst Finance Minister Enoch Godongwna is unlikely to lose his job over his push to raise value-added tax (VAT), which the EFF described as 'both incompetent and arrogant'. This is according to North-West University professor and political analyst Andre Duvenhage. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Picture: X/GovernmentZA EFF leader Julius Malema said on Monday the budget deadlock in parliament could have been resolved much earlier if Godongwana had taken the objections seriously. 'While the VAT increase was a particular trigger, the entire 2025 budget as formulated by the minister of finance is fundamentally flawed. The National Treasury's neoliberal dogma, obsession with austerity and blind loyalty to the white capitalist establishment have no place in South Africa's current economic realities,' Malema said. CONTINUE READING: Godongwana unlikely to be fired over VAT impasse – analyst Wydad finally confirm Rulani exit Wydad Casablanca have confirmed that they have placed head coach Rulani Mokwena on special leave, pending the termination of his contract at the end of the Botola Pro League season. The Moroccan giants issued a statement in which they said 'psychological pressures' on Mokwena meant the South African had requested an early exit from the club. It has not gone as planned for Rulani Mokwena at Wydad Casablanca. Picture: BackpagePix 'The board of directors of Wydad Athletic Club announces, at the request of the first-team coach, Rulani Mokwena, that he has been granted an exceptional leave extending beyond the team's last match in the professional championship, due to the great psychological pressures he has experienced recently,' read the statement. CONTINUE READING: Wydad finally confirm Rulani exit Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Arson suspected in Table Mountain blaze | Lesufi tackles R34 million rental bill | Vaal residents refuse evacuation orders
