A certain Wydad Athletic Club star is reported to have been involved in a heated exchange of words with head coach Rulani Mokwena this past weekend.
Things have by no means been easy for Mokwena since joining Wydad in July 2024. The South African has been trying to adjust to life in Morocco and has so far encountered some challenges both on and off the pitch.
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In October, Mokwena and his team were pelted with objects following a defeat to RS Berkane. The following month, he revealed that he was racially abused by a member of the Ittihad Tanger technical staff during a game.
Results on the pitch have not been void of criticism either, as the club sit sixth on the table after 17 league matches.
This past weekend, Wydad claimed a 2-1 win over Moghreb Tetouan in the Botola Pro 1, but it is reported that things behind the scenes were quite intense before the match.
According to Al3omk.com, winger Nassim Chadli engaged in a heated argument with Mokwena before the game after discovering he was left out of the starting XI.
Upon learning he would be on the bench, Chadli is said to have immediately confronted his coach, declaring that he should not be included in the squad again if he is to be made to sit on the bench.
The player, who joined the club in August 2024 from French side Le Havre, reportedly stated that he moved to Wydad with the aim of being a starter and not to accept a substitute role.
During the argument, it is claimed that some players had to intervene to calm Chadli down, urging him not to make any hasty decisions.
It is said that the matter will be resolved internally by the team's management, as they are keen to ensure the incident does not negatively impact the team's performances on the pitch.
The feud between Mokwena and Chadli reportedly began after a game against Raja Athletic Club on 22 November 2024 after he was completely left out of the squad.
It is said that the player has since deleted all his pictures wearing Wydad colours on his Instagram, as per Al Jarida24.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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