Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena says he will assume responsibility and be the first one to ask to be relieved of his duties if the Moroccan giants are struggling because of him, following their 1-1 draw with IR Tanger on Saturday.

On loan Mamelodi Sundowns star Thembinkosi Lorch opened the scoring in the 30th minute before being withdrawn in the 65th minute. The 31-year-old’s compatriot Cassius Mailula was introduced at the same time.

Lorch, who was brought on a € 500K (R9895190,00) loan fee in January 2025, was on target for the first time since ditching Chloorkop for Casablanca. He has so far made six appearances in the famous red and white jersey of Wydad.

The 22-time Moroccan champions are unbeaten in their last nine league outings with their last defeat dating back to December 2024. However, they have drawn their last four encounters in the Botola Pro League.

Mokwena’s charges are out of continental football places in fourth place. Wydad have accumulated 43 points in 25 league matches, behind the two Rabat rivals FAR Rabat and FUS Rabat in second and third place respectively. Now, the ex-Downs mentor hit back at critics who question his style of play.

“Direct attacking style, look when you bring me to Wydad – you bring me with a certain style of play and I will never abandon my style of play, I’m sorry. I’ve worked very hard as a coach to build and study, research what works,” he said.

“It worked for me before and I’m sure it will work here; it needs a little bit of time but believe me I’m in a position where I love the club so much.” 

The 38-year-old South African tactician cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference, stating his willingness to walk out of the Wydad project if he is deemed a problem for the Red Castle’s problems.

“If I’m the problem at Wydad, I’ll be the first one to ask for permission to go back to South Africa. If I’m the problem I give the president and the board full responsibility to relieve me of my duties – If I’m the problem,” Mokwena added.

“I don’t want to hold Wydad back. If Wydad can do better without me [I can leave]. I love this club so much that I want to be a problem. Don’t question the style of play, I mean you saw how many chances we had [vs IR Tanger]; we should have had.”