Wydad Casablanca has confirmed that coach Rulani Mokwena has been granted special leave by the club until the end of the season, at which point he will depart the Moroccan giants.

Mokwena has been under significant pressure at the Red Castle in recent weeks, with results becoming a major concern as they strive to secure a CAF Champions League spot.

Wydad, who did not participate in this season’s Champions League, currently sit third in the league standings with 45 points after 27 matches.

This position leaves them outside the qualification spots for next season’s premier CAF club competition. They trail league leaders RSB Berkane by 15 points, having played one more game, and are six points behind second-placed AS Far Rabat.

“The board of directors of Wydad Athletic Club announces, at the request of first-team coach Rulani Mokwena, that he has been granted an exceptional leave of absence extending beyond the team’s final match in the professional league,” Wydad stated.

“This is due to the significant psychological pressures he has experienced recently.

“The Wydad Athletic Club management confirms that the contractual termination of coach Rulani Mokwena will be officially completed immediately after the end of the professional league, in compliance with the terms of the contract concluded between the two parties.

“It also emphasizes that this decision will not entail any financial compensation, as is being circulated, except for the payment of the monthly wages due only.”

In the interim, with Mokwena granted special leave, sporting director and national coach Mr. Amine Benhachem has been appointed to take charge until the end of the season.

“Accordingly, the sports director and national coach, Mr. Amine Benhachem, has been assigned to lead the first team during this phase. We sincerely wish him and all the team members success,” the club revealed.

Mokwena was appointed by Wydad during the off-season after departing Mamelodi Sundowns, where he had recently won the league title and the African Football League.