Al Ahly of Egypt and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, both qualifiers for the upcoming Club World Cup, have dismissed their head coaches following underwhelming performances at home and abroad, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Al Ahly parted ways with Swiss coach Marcel Koller after the record 12-time African champions were knocked out of the CAF Champions League semi-finals. Despite not losing either leg, the Cairo club were eliminated on away goals after a 1-1 home draw with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, conceding a costly last-minute own goal.
The frustration among Ahly supporters was clear, with bottles thrown at Koller after Friday’s match. Club executives convened for an emergency meeting and decided to terminate his contract, citing not only the Champions League disappointment but also a slump in the Egyptian Premier League, where Ahly trail leaders Pyramids FC by four points.
Koller, who led the Red Devils to back-to-back Champions League titles in 2023 and 2024, expressed sadness over his departure. “We did not lose either match, but are out. It is a bitter feeling,” he said.
Ahly are scheduled to face Inter Miami on June 14 in their opening match of the newly expanded Club World Cup. They will also take on Palmeiras of Brazil and Portuguese giants Porto in Group A.
Meanwhile, Wydad Casablanca dismissed coach Rulani Mokwena, the first South African to manage a Moroccan top-flight side, after a series of poor league results. Six consecutive draws have left Wydad six points adrift of second-placed FAR Rabat, with only the top two qualifying for the next CAF Champions League season.
Mokwena’s tenure was marred by inconsistency, with Wydad drawing 12 of their 27 league fixtures and suffering an early exit in the Throne Cup, Morocco’s equivalent of the FA Cup.
Local coach Amine Benhachem, who has previously managed 11 different teams, is expected to take charge. His last role was with Renaissance Zemamra, who sit just a point behind Wydad in the Moroccan standings. Finishing third would secure a place in the CAF Confederation Cup instead.
Wydad’s Club World Cup campaign will see them face formidable opponents in Group G, with matches against Manchester City, Juventus, and UAE’s Al Ain lined up.
