South African coach Rulani Mokwena views Wydad Casablanca’s absence from this season’s CAF Champions League as a blessing in disguise, especially given that this is his first coaching venture outside of South Africa.

Mokwena was appointed to Wydad last month following a tumultuous departure from Mamelodi Sundowns, where he led the team to victory in the African Football League and the Betway Premiership. Ironically, Sundowns defeated Wydad in the African Football League final.

While Mokwena enjoyed significant success with Sundowns, including a semi-final appearance in the Champions League, Wydad struggled in the previous season, exiting the Champions League in the group stages and finishing outside the top four in the Moroccan league.

“It’s a blessing in disguise that we’re not in the Champions League,” Mokwena told the South African Football Journalists’ Association on Thursday. “Of course, the Champions League is crucial for a club like Wydad. It’s a competition the club is renowned for, and it’s a truly spectacular event.”

Wydad reached the Champions League final in the 2022/23 season but ultimately lost to Al Ahly. Notably, Wydad eliminated Mokwena’s Sundowns in the semi-finals on away goals, despite Sundowns dominating the match.

Wydad’s absence from the Champions League this season means they will miss out on the opportunity to compete at the highest level of African club football and test themselves against top-tier opposition ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. However, Mokwena sees potential advantages in this situation.

“Not participating in the Champions League will give us more opportunities to work and train the squad, and perhaps even arrive at the Club World Cup with less fatigue,” he explained. “Without the Champions League, we’ll have fewer matches, allowing us to focus on preparation and potentially enter the Club World Cup with a fresher team.

“From a tactical perspective, we’ll have more time to work with the team, which is something I haven’t had in a long time. I see this as an advantage. However, we must qualify for the Champions League next season, as it’s a vital competition for this football club.”