Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca has announced the departure of coach Rulani Mokwena.

African Times reported a few days ago that Mokwena was living on borrowed time after six consecutive league draws, leaving Wydad in third place which dashes hope of qualifying for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League.

Wydad held off on announcing Mokwena’s imminent exit, and according to reports from Morocco, the two parties had to negotiate a settlement.

However, Wydad’s statement paints a different picture, citing “psychological pressures” endured by Mokwena as the reason for him stepping down.

“The board of directors of Wydad Athletic Club announces, at the request of the first-team coach, Rulani Mokwena, that he has been granted an exceptional leave extending beyond the team’s last match in the professional championship, due to the great psychological pressures he has experienced recently,” reads the club’s statement.

“The Wydad Athletic Club management confirms that the termination of the contractual relationship with coach Rulani Mokwena will take place officially immediately after the end of the professional championship, out of respect for the terms of the contract concluded between the two parties.”

Wydad further confirms that Mokwena is not entitled to a settlement of his three-year contract, as has been widely reported.

“Wydad also stresses that this decision will not entail any financial compensation, as is being circulated, with the exception of the payment of the monthly wages due only.

“Accordingly, the sports director and national coach, Mr. Amine Benhachem, has been assigned to lead the first team during this phase, with our sincere wishes for him and all the team’s components to succeed.”

Mokwena was in charge of 35 matches; 14 wins, 14 draws and seven (7) draws across all competitions.