With South Africans being in action across the continent this weekend, Wydad Athletic Club jumped to the defence of Rulani Mokwena, who had allegedly been racially abused by some opposition players, while Fagrie Lakay led his side to victory in Egypt.
The Red Castle dropped points on Saturday after being held to a 2-2 draw by Ittihad Tanger. This result leaves the side the side in sixth position with 15 points.
Read: 'Tau is clearly living his last days at Al Ahly'
Mokwena and his side are one point away from a spot in the top four, but three from second-placed Maghreb of Fez.
They are eight points behind league-leaders RSB Berkane, and will be looking to close that gap when club football returns after the November international break.
However, more pressing news emerged from the game as the South Tactician had allegedly been on the receiving end of racist abuse during his side's encounter with Ittihad Tanger.
The club showed footage of Wydad staff defending their manager after the opposition players were said to have been the perpetrators in the unfortunate incident.
Wydad staff defending Mokwena after some racist abuse from Irt players.Shame. pic.twitter.com/yJ2drq1S8u
— Wydad Red Castle (@WydadRedCastle) November 9, 2024
?? ?????????????????????? ??????????????#DimaWydd pic.twitter.com/HIC8RZGRX6
— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) November 10, 2024
The Moroccan club also released a statement regarding the issue.
"Wydad Athletic Club strongly condemns the unfortunate events that followed the final whistle of the match between our team and Ittihad Tanger Club," it read per Afrik-Foot.
"Our coach, Mr Mokwena, was subjected to unacceptable racist behavior by a member of the Ittihad Tanger Club staff, who was not part of the staff present on the pitch, but entered the pitch after the match had ended, where his abusive and racist words towards the coach led to some skirmishes between the players.
"Wydad Athletic Club also denounces Ittihad Tanger Club's attempt to divert attention from this racist behavior by directing public opinion towards other matters and ignoring the essence of the problem, which is the immoral behavior of one of its members.
"We consider these attempts to be an evasion of responsibility and inconsistent with the sporting values ??that should bring together clubs in fair competition."
Meanwhile, it was a much happier outing for Fagrie Lakay in Egypt, who scored the only goal of the game as he fired Ceramica Cleopatra FC to a 1-0 victory – their first of the new season.
This result comes after his team suffered a 5-2 defeat to Al Ahly in their opening game of the new Egyptian Premier League campaign.
Lakay will be hoping that the 2024/25 season is full of match-winning moments as he looks to pick up the momentum when his side face Haras El Hodoud SC in a league encounter after the international break.
Meanwhile, in Algeria, Khanyisa Mayo's CR Belouizdad claimed their first win of the season, beating ES Mostaganem by two goals to nil.
The result means that the club move away from the bottom of the table, and are now in 14th position after picking up just seven points from seven games.
Read: Ronaldo 'lined up' as Neymar replacement in shock transfer
Finally, Elias Mokwana came off the bench in the 89th minute as Esperance Sportive de Tunis picked up a 2-1 victory over AS Gabes, as goals from Raed Bouchniba and Koussay Maacha helped them secure three points.
With two victories on the bounce, the side occupy fifth on the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 table and are just four points away from ES de Zarzis at the top of the summit.
By Junaid Benjamin
Follow him here on X