While things may not be unfolding exactly as Rulani Mokwena might have envisioned since joining Wydad Athletic Club, a rival coach has now backed the South African to succeed in Morocco.
The Red Castle currently sit fifth on the Botola Pro 1 table, having secured just five victories in their 12 matches so far this season.
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The Casablanca-based outfit trail table-toppers RSB Berkane by eight points and are struggling with consistency, having won only two of their last five games.
As the season progresses, Mokwena and his team will aim to secure qualification for either the CAF Confederation Cup or the CAF Champions League.
RSB Berkane manager Moine Chaabani, speaking after his side's 3–1 victory over Stellenbosch FC in a CAF CC encounter on Sunday, has expressed confidence in the South African tactician's ability to compete at the top end of the table.
"Mokwena will be a competitor as he has always been in the past years," Chaabani said, as quoted by Elbotola.
"When I was the coach of Esperance Sportive de Tunis, I used to meet Mokwena because I met him before when he was the assistant coach of Mamelodi Sundowns.
"All the best to him."
Chaabani also reflected on his own team's progress and outlined his ambitions for the current season, following their third-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign behind AS FAR and eventual champions Raja Club Athletic.
"Last season, Raja and the Royal Army made the task difficult for us in the league, and took the two places to qualify for the Champions League," Chaabani remarked.
"Last season, we were able to achieve third place, which qualified us for the Confederation Cup, and our goal this year is to be in the lead or at least in second place to qualify for the Champions League."
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