Latest news with #WydadCasablanca
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Arab News
South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia
JOHANNESBURG: South African Rulani Mokwena was named coach of Algerian champions Mouloudia Alger on Monday, ending weeks of speculation as to where the 38-year-old would work in the 2025/26 season. His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca. He left after finishing third in the national league and failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League. Here, AFP Sport also reports on a setback for Sudanese giants Al Hilal as they chase a place in the forthcoming Champions League in the latest football news across Africa. Rulani Mokwena is set to become the FIRST South African to manage in Algeria. — Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) July 15, 2025 Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premiership coaches in the Algerian championship. German Josef Zinnbauer, the former Orlando Pirates tactician, guided JS Kabylie to second place behind Mouloudia last season and qualification for the Champions League. Another German, Sead Ramovic, led Chabab Belouizdad to third place and entry to the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. His previous clubs include TS Galaxy in South Africa. Young Orlando Pirates forward Mohau Nkota is joining Saudi Pro League club Ettifaq, the Soweto club announced. Last season was his first with the Buccaneers first team and he scored 12 goals in 39 appearances, including three in Champions League victories over Belouizdad and Mouloudia in Algeria. The 20-year-old will join fellow African Wissam Chaouali, a Tunisian defender, at a club that finished seventh in the Pro League last season, 33 points behind champions Al Ittihad. Al Hilal, who have featured in every Champions League since 2004, suffered a setback in their bid to qualify for the 2025/26 edition of the premier African club competition. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Only two points separate seven of the eight contenders and 16 matches have produced just 18 goals as clubs chase top-four finishes and places in the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Angolan champions Petro Luanda have hired 48-year-old Spanish coach Franc Artiga as they prepare for their Champions League campaign. Former Angola forward Flavio Amado had been in charge of the record 19-time national champions, but lacks the necessary coaching qualifications for Confederation of African Football competitions. Petro have twice reached the Champions League semifinals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in 2001 and Wydad Casablanca three years ago. Namibia, one of many African countries lacking a FIFA-approved stadium, will play their remaining 2026 World Cup home qualifiers against Malawi and Sao Tome e Principe in neighboring Botswana. The matches in September are earmarked for Francistown, 440 kilometers (274 miles) northeast of the capital Gaborone. They previously hosted qualifiers in Soweto near Johannesburg. Namibia are unbeaten in Group H after three victories and three draws and lie second, four points behind six-time World Cup qualifiers Tunisia.
Morocco World
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
AS FAR Announce Eight New Signings Ahead of 2025-26 Season
AS FAR Rabat have confirmed the arrival of eight new players ahead of the 2025-26 season as head coach Alexandre Santos looks to rebuild the squad. The club has added reinforcements across all positions in a bid to improve depth and replace key departures. The new signings are: Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (29, goalkeeper): Joins on a free transfer from Wydad Casablanca. A five-time Botola Pro winner and 2022 CAF Champions League champion, he was part of Morocco's squad during the 2022 Qatar World Cup triumph. Joins on a free transfer from Wydad Casablanca. A five-time Botola Pro winner and 2022 CAF Champions League champion, he was part of Morocco's squad during the 2022 Qatar World Cup triumph. Marouane Louadni (28, centre-back): Returns from Qatar's Umm Salal SC. The former FUS Rabat and Rapide Oued Zem defender signs as a free agent. Returns from Qatar's Umm Salal SC. The former FUS Rabat and Rapide Oued Zem defender signs as a free agent. Mohamed El Abd Nouh (24, centre-back): Mauritanian international joins from FC Nouadhibou in a $180,000 deal. Mauritanian international joins from FC Nouadhibou in a $180,000 deal. Taoufik Razko (26, midfielder): Signs from JS Soualem after a season where he made 26 league appearances, scoring 3 goals and assisting twice. Transfer cost: $38,000. Signs from JS Soualem after a season where he made 26 league appearances, scoring 3 goals and assisting twice. Transfer cost: $38,000. Soulaimane El Bouchqali (25, central midfielder): Rejoins AS FAR after the club activated a buy-back clause with Renaissance Zemamra. His contract runs until 2028. Rejoins AS FAR after the club activated a buy-back clause with Renaissance Zemamra. His contract runs until 2028. Hamza Khabba (29, striker): Returns on a free transfer from Kuwait's Al Arabi, where he finished as the league's top scorer with 21 goals and ranked second in assists. Returns on a free transfer from Kuwait's Al Arabi, where he finished as the league's top scorer with 21 goals and ranked second in assists. Jamal Ech Chamakh (27, left-back): Arrives from Hassania Agadir after making 139 league appearances and scoring four goals. Arrives from Hassania Agadir after making 139 league appearances and scoring four goals. Abdelhamid Yunis (37, centre-back): Signs as a free agent from Saint-Étienne. The Moroccan international adds experience and depth to the backline. The arrivals are aimed at reinforcing the defence, particularly following the departures of Hatim Es-Saoubi, Larbi Naji, Hicham Boussefiane, El Hassan Hobeib, Henock Inonga, Et-Tayab Boukheriss and Akram Nakkach. However, fan reaction has been mixed. On the club's official Facebook page, one user wrote: 'The team needs a striker, a defensive midfielder, and a high-calibre winger.' Another commented: 'Honestly, all these signings are irrelevant — they won't benefit the team in any way.' Criticism was also directed at the goalkeeper signing. One supporter said: 'So now you're bringing us a goalkeeper just to scare the opponents? It's shameful to bring a keeper who was playing in Tetouan and Fes, struggled there, and now you bring him here without proper consideration – this is unacceptable!' AS FAR are now set to begin preparations for the upcoming Botola season and the CAF competitions, with hopes of returning to title contention.
eNCA
2 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia
CAIRO - Rulani Mokwena was named coach of Algerian champions Mouloudia Alger on Monday, ending weeks of speculation as to where the 38-year-old would work in the 2025/26 season. His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca. He left after finishing third in the national league and failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League. Here, AFP Sport also reports on a setback for Sudanese giants Al Hilal as they chase a place in the forthcoming Champions League in the latest football news across Africa. Algeria Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premier Soccer League coaches in the Algerian championship. German Josef Zinnbauer, the former Orlando Pirates tactician, guided JS Kabylie to second place behind Mouloudia last season and qualification for the Champions League. Another German, Sead Ramovic, led Chabab Belouizdad to third place and entry to the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. His previous clubs include TS Galaxy in South Africa. South Africa Young Orlando Pirates forward Mohau Nkota is joining Saudi Pro League club Ettifaq, the Soweto club announced. Last season was his first with the Buccaneers' first team and he scored 12 goals in 39 appearances, including three in Champions League victories over Belouizdad and Mouloudia in Algeria. The 20-year-old will join fellow African Wissam Chaouali, a Tunisian defender, at a club that finished seventh in the Pro League last season, 33 points behind champions Al Ittihad. Sudan Al Hilal, who have featured in every Champions League since 2004, suffered a setback in their bid to qualify for the 2025/26 edition of the premier African club competition. The Sudan Elite League pacesetters lost 1-0 to Al Amal Atbara in the fourth round of a mini-league and remain top of the table only on goal difference from Al Zamaleh Umm Ruwaba. Only two points separate seven of the eight contenders and 16 matches have produced just 18 goals as clubs chase top-four finishes and places in the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Angola Angolan champions Petro Luanda have hired 48-year-old Spanish coach Franc Artiga as they prepare for their Champions League campaign. Former Angola forward Flavio Amado had been in charge of the record 19-time national champions, but lacks the necessary coaching qualifications for the Confederation of African Football competitions. Petro have twice reached the Champions League semi-finals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in 2001 and Wydad Casablanca three years ago. Namibia Namibia, one of many African countries lacking a FIFA-approved stadium, will play their remaining 2026 World Cup home qualifiers against Malawi and São Tomé and Príncipe in neighbouring Botswana. The matches in September are earmarked for Francistown, 440 kilometres (274 miles) northeast of the capital, Gaborone. They previously hosted qualifiers in Soweto near Johannesburg.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Rulani Mokwena joins former Orlando Pirates coach in Algeria
Rulani Mokwena was named coach of Algerian champions Mouloudia Alger on Monday, ending weeks of speculation as to where the 38-year-old would work in the 2025/26 season. His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca. He left after finishing third in the national league and failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League. Here, AFP Sport also reports on a setback for Sudanese giants Al Hilal as they chase a place in the forthcoming Champions League in the latest football news across Africa. Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premiership coaches in the Algerian championship. German Josef Zinnbauer, the former Orlando Pirates tactician, guided JS Kabylie to second place behind Mouloudia last season and qualification for the CAF Champions League. Another German, Sead Ramovic, led Chabab Belouizdad to third place and entry to the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. His previous clubs include TS Galaxy in South Africa. Meanwhile, young Orlando Pirates forward Mohau Nkota is joining Saudi Pro League club Ettifaq, the Soweto club announced. Last season was his first with the Buccaneers first team and he scored 12 goals in 39 appearances, including three in CAF Champions League victories over Belouizdad and Mouloudia in Algeria. The 20-year-old will join fellow African Wissam Chaouali, a Tunisian defender, at a club that finished seventh in the Pro League last season, 33 points behind champions Al Ittihad. In other news, Al Hilal, who have featured in every Champions League since 2004, suffered a setback in their bid to qualify for the 2025/26 edition of the premier African club competition. The Sudan Elite League pacesetters lost 1-0 to Al Amal Atbara in the fourth round of a mini-league and remain top of the table only on goal difference from Al Zamaleh Umm Ruwaba. Only two points separate seven of the eight contenders and 16 matches have produced just 18 goals as clubs chase top-four finishes and places in the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Angolan champions Petro Luanda have hired 48-year-old Spanish coach Franc Artiga as they prepare for their Champions League campaign. Former Angola forward Flavio Amado had been in charge of the record 19-time national champions, but lacks the necessary coaching qualifications for Confederation of African Football competitions. Petro have twice reached the Champions League semi-finals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in 2001 and Wydad Casablanca three years ago. Namibia, one of many African countries lacking a FIFA-approved stadium, will play their remaining 2026 World Cup home qualifiers against Malawi and Sao Tome e Principe in neighbouring Botswana. The matches in September are earmarked for Francistown, 440km northeast of the capital Gaborone. They previously hosted qualifiers in Soweto near Johannesburg. Namibia are unbeaten in Group H after three victories and three draws and lie second, four points behind six-time World Cup qualifiers Tunisia. 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. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
Morocco World
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad Close to Permanent Deal for Thembinkosi Lorch
Wydad Casablanca is set to sign South African winger Thembinkosi Lorch permanently, following his strong performance during the FIFA Club World Cup. Lorch, 31, moved to Wydad on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns during the January transfer window. The deal included a $500,000 option to buy, but Sundowns have since doubled the value to reach one million dollars after his impressive performances in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The winger made 16 appearances for Wydad during last season, scoring three goals: two goals in Botola Pro and the third one in the Club World Cup. With fellow Sundowns loanee Cassius Mailula not retained over financial concerns, Wydad are pushing to keep Lorch, despite ongoing budget constraints. The proposed move has stirred debate among supporters, with some raising concerns over the cost and the player's age. 'If the club signs Lorch for two years, he'll be 33—how effective can a winger be at that age?' one fan wrote on Facebook. Another added: 'If the transfer fee is €1 million, what kind of wages will they be offering him?'
