Rulani Mokwena defends form of title-chasing Wydad

Mokwena's team are currently in third place on the Botola Pro 1 with 42 points from 24 games - level on points with second placed AS FAR, but 17 points adrift of leaders RSB Berkane.

They were most recently held to a 2-2 draw with fourth-placed FUS Rabat on Monday, having conceded a 90th minute equaliser.

Speaking to the media after the game, Mokwena was reported by iDiski Times to have said: "You can't win every game, so I can't sit here, every time we don't win, I have to explain that football is win, lose, or draw; even Wydad cannot win every game.

"I've grown up with football ever since I was a kid, and I have an understanding that in football, it's about effort, commitment, and giving everything that you can if you want to win excellently.

"If you lose because the opponent is better, you shake hands sportsman like, try to improve and get better, and if you draw, you look at the positives, also you fix the negatives – we are a new team, everyone doesn't want me to say this but we are a new team, it's 26 new players, we're fighting for the Champions League spot."

Mokwena added: "We have started from disadvantage from ASFAR, Zemamra – you know 10 match days ago how many gap of points we had to close, and we've done that. on

"Why can't these players get more support, Berah is coming at half-time, and he is distraught and me as a coach I look at my players and I say, ‘why can't they get more support'.

"I understand we haven't won anything in two years. I understand there's hunger for Champions League, and believe me, there's no one more hungry than me to play Champions League.

"I was in the semi-final of the Champions League two years in a row. I had the option to join clubs that are in the Champions League. I came to join Wydad because when Sundowns played against Wydad, I saw how much they love their club. I saw how much they showed their love to me.

"This is why I didn't go to ASFAR, and this is why I didn't go to Raja and chose Wydad. But what I see now is a lack of support and the lack of patience. It's not easy, guys."

"Let me tell you, this is my first Ramadan as a coach, and it's difficult. Can I tell you something that people don't know? I'm fasting with the players so I can feel what they are going through, and I know how difficult it is for me," he added.

"So, if it's difficult for me, how difficult must it be for these guys who have to run for 90 minutes, who have to train every day, just show a little bit of compassion guys what I see every week, throwing bottles I don't like it.

"I'm not involved in football because of this. We have a goal; just remember the goal is the dream, and dreams are pure; they come from a place that comes with motivation; they come with pride for achieving them.

"The dream is to win Botola or win the CAF Champions spot. That's what this club deserves, and while I'm still here, maybe some people don't want me here, and that's okay, but while I am here, Wydad will fight until death for that spot."