Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena has shed light on the recent increase in interest from North African clubs in South African players and coaches.
‘Pep lite’, as Mokwena is affectionately known in football circles, was speaking in an interview with South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) following his move to Wydad.
Before he even left Sundowns, he had already turned down offers from the northern part of the African continent.
Mokwena attributed this trend to the successes of Pitso Mosimane (ex-Al Ahly coach), Percy Tau (Al Ahly star) and Fadlu Davids (ex-Raja Casablanca assistant coach). He believes SA football has earned trust of North Africans through them.
He also credited the leadership of CAF president Patrice Motsepe for raising the profile of South African football on the continent.
MOKWENA ON WHAT HAS PROPELLED NORTH AFRICAN INTEREST IN SA FOOTBALL COACHES & PLAYERS
“A lot of people need to take credit for that. I think apart from Coach Pitso’s success is also the leadership that Dr Patrice Motsepe has shown on the African continent as CAF president,” said Mokwena.
“And I think that has given rise to the name, and maybe even a bit more interest in relation to us as South Africans on the continent.
“And of course, then you’ve got a player like Percy [Tau], who’s done exceptionally well with Al Ahly and so these people have done great work in spearheading and maybe even preparing the service for a lot of us.
“Part of their success is the establishment of great opportunities and possibilities for a lot more of our own. So I think they have to take a lot of credit, and you’ve got to give them their flowers, because the truth of the matter is, part of everyone’s success is the progress that many have made, and sometimes the people who labour and plant the trees are not the ones that necessarily enjoy the shade.
“But the truth of the matter is the ones that come after have the possibilities to enjoy the fruits of the work of those that went ahead of them.
“And ours is then to come behind and try to show respect, to show appreciation for what they have done, and give credibility to the reputation that they’ve tried to create and forge for us.
“So I don’t know what it means for South African football. I think we are in a very good space at the moment, but, football is football, things change all the time, and things happen in football.
“But I think it augurs well when you look at some of the players that are also joining us in this space and the coaches. I think the future does look bright, and there are greater possibilities for future progress in the continent, and for us as South Africans”
SOUTH AFRICANS WHO RECENTLY MOVED OR WHO ARE LINKED NORTH AFRICAN CLUBS
- Khanyisa Mayo – CR Belouizdad [Algeria]
- Elias Mokwana – Esperance Sportive de Tunis [Tunisia]
- Cassius Mailula – Wydad Casablanca [Morocco]
- Rulani Mokwena – Wydad Casablanca head coach
Mokwena went on and appointed his South African technical team including Sinethemba Badela (assistant coach), Alan Freese (Technical Director), Sibusiso Makitla (analyst) and Sibusiso Mahlangu (fitness trainer).
Bongani Zungu and Percy Tau (already at North African clulb, Al Ahly) could also soon join Mokwena at Wydad with talks said to be taking place.
Polokwane City's star Oswin Appollis has also attracted interest from Esperance and USM Alger.
