With Manchester City set to play their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Wydad Athletic Club, the English giants have sought key insights into coach Rulani Mokwena and the work he is doing in Morocco.
Wydad and Man City are both drawn in Group G of the new 32-team Club World Cup, alongside Italian heavyweights Juventus and Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates.
Wydad's opening game in the tournament will be far from easy, as they begin their campaign against the reigning English champions on 18 June 2025, the third day of the competition.
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With the Club World Cup now just under two and a half months away, City have begun a fact-finding mission on their group-stage opponents.
City's official website spoke to Amine El Amri, sports editor at Moroccan outlet Le360, who provided insight into Mokwena's first season in charge of Wydad.
El Amri told ManCity.com:"I'd say this is something of a transition era for Wydad. In Morocco, they've always been known for a direct style of play, and in the 1980s and 1990s, they were at their best."
"It's always been about how quickly they could move from one end of the pitch to the other. It has been the club's DNA to always have the best wingers, full-backs and strikers."
"However, since the start of last season, Rulani Mokwena has changed that. He came from Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa and has a reputation for a very different style."
"Things weren't going so well early on, but now he has implemented a 4-2-3-1 system and it has started to click."
"It's a new project and very different from the way they played to win the CAF Champions League and qualify for this competition."
"It was difficult when Mokwena first arrived, but the fans needed to be patient."
"He is a very calm and friendly figure in his media appearances. He's managed to convince everyone to be patient — which is unusual in Morocco!"
"He's changed more than just the playing style; he's shifted the mentality. They had to correct a few things, and now they're on a new path."
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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