Rhulani Mokwena's Wydad AC suffer slight Caf Champions League race setback as FUS Rabat force a draw in Botola Pro League outing

Rhulani Mokwena's Wydad AC suffered a setback after they were held to a 2-2 draw by FUS Rabat in a Botola Pro encounter played on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Hamza Hannouri scored for FUS Rabat in the 35th minute, with the scoreline remaining unchanged going into the halftime break.

Wydad managed to get the equaliser in the 81st minute when Oussama Zemraoui found the back of the net. The home team regained their lead quickly when Hamza Sakhi scored the second goal.

However, FUS Rabat fought back and equalised late in the game when Soufiane Tazi scored in the 90th minute.

Meanwhile, former Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch started the game, while Cassius Mailula, who is also on loan from Toronto FC, was introduced in the second half, replacing Zakaria Nassik.

After dropping the two points, despite taking the lead within minutes late in the game, Mokwena's charges remain third on the table.

They have the same points, 42, as second-placed FAR Rabat, who enjoy a superior goal difference.

This means Wydad AC still have a huge fighting chance to secure a place in next season's Caf Champions League.

“You can’t win every game, so I can’t sit here every time we don’t win and I have to explain this and that," Mokwena told the media after the match.

"Football is win, draw or lose. Wydad can’t win every game. We are a new team. Everyone doesn’t want me to say this, but we are literally a new team. It’s 26 new players.

“I had the option to join clubs that were playing in the Champions League, but when Sundowns played Wydad, I saw the passion of their fans and the love they had for me.

"This is why I chose Wydad because I could have gone to AS FAR or Raja Club Athletic. What I see now is a lack of support and patience; it’s not easy, guys. What I see every week, throwing bottles and stuff, I don’t like it.

“Maybe some people don’t want me here for long, but that’s ok. My grandmother got sick the day pictures and videos went viral when some fans were throwing bottles at me. She was 86.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach will next lead his charges in an away game against domestic opponents Ittihad Tanger on March 16, 2025.

This is a game the three-time Caf Champions League winners will not afford to drop any more points at this time of the season.

After their domestic campaign, Mokwena will focus on the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain in Group G.