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“We still need time. I have already told you several times, we are not ready yet.” At every press conference, whatever the result, Rhulani Mokwena asks supporters to be patient. A speech that is sometimes boring but which is not devoid of meaning.
Including the two matches played during the Cup of Excellence, the reception of Difaâ Hassani of El Jadida, this Saturday September 28 (6 p.m.), will be the 6th official match of the South African technician at the helm of Wydad of Casablanca (2v, 2n, 1d). Obviously, the players are involved in the game project carried out by their coach.
However, they sometimes have difficulty applying it. They nevertheless benefit from mitigating circumstances: some lack rhythm, others have not yet reached their optimal form, and none of them are yet used to playing with their new teammates.
In addition to the automatisms and collective experience essential for the progression of Wydad, the style of play advocated by Rhulani Mokwena demands consistency in physical and mental effort from Hamza Sakhi and his teammates. A style where concentration is as necessary as technical accuracy.
For the moment, player performances suffer from a certain irregularity in these areas. A visual impression that is echoed in the figures for four key statistical categories:
– The number of balls recovered in the opponent’s last 30 meters;
– The number of balls lost within their own 30 meters;
– The rate of successful passes in the opposing final third;
– The number of successful progressive passes.
The analysis of Wydad’s matches, through the prism of these criteria, identifies the last minute penalty victory against Moghreb Tetouan as the most successful performance so far, in terms of content (2.19 xG ). The statistical categories mentioned also offer a first glimpse of the tactical vision that Mokwena wishes to instill in his team, with positional play as an essential cog.
This strategic approach is based on several mechanisms, notably the concept of a free man, the construction of actions from the goalkeeper, possession of the ball, as well as rapid recovery after loss.
Position play and free man
If the Wydad de Casablanca coach had the sole intention of possessing the ball, the mission is successful: his team dominates this statistical category (72.3%). But the Johannesburg native is not satisfied with that. For him, having possession and controlling the pace of the match is crucial, but the positional play he seeks to establish has the main objective of create space where a free man can offer himself to receive the ball.
This space results from the coordinated and constant movements of the players around it. Ideally, the free man should be found between the lines, his aim being to control the ball, turn and move the play forward. A very effective stratagem, the advantages of which manifest themselves during matches, particularly in terms of fluidity of the game and creation of chances. However, it is not yet bearing fruit for the WAC.
The main reason is still too much technical waste, starting with the goalkeeper. As guarantor of the first raise, it is crucial that the latter excels in this task. However, unlike other goalkeepers like Anas Zniti from Raja de Casablanca (96% successful passes), Ali Mhamdi failed to demonstrate impeccable footwork (85%).
In certain sequences of play, the former goalkeeper of the Berkane Sports Renaissance did not allow his team to advance, even endangering his defense. This was particularly visible during the draw (1-1) against Union Touarga Sportif (UTS). Its defenders, for their part, are not exempt from reproaches.
In reality, all players showed technical shortcomings, displaying a successful pass rate that was far from exceptional (85%). These difficulties also highlight the courage and personality of Rhulani Mokwena’s men. They realized the most progressive passes in the elite (264).
Pressing to improve
This performance is notable, because passing the ball towards attacking areas is always more complex than circulating it laterally. This requires precision and application, particularly in the opposing 30 meters, where the spaces and time for decision-making are further reduced.
On the occasion of the second day of the championship against MAT (1-0), the Reds and Whites generally showed application and succeeded in imposing their technical superiority. But, when the opponent is more aggressive on the carrier, as was the MAS, Rhulani Mokwena’s protégés sometimes gave the impression of losing their means.
Ditto against Union Touarga Sportif. The team led by the Moroccan Abdel Zamrat maneuvered tactically brilliantly by closing the interior of the game, forcing the Wydadi to show more precision. Unfortunately, they have not managed to raise their level. The draw against UTS demonstrated the shortcomings of the WAC in imposing high and effective pressing, recovering only a few balls in the opposing camp (11).
To quickly regain possession of the ball, it is crucial not only to be determined, but also to have good coordination and a short distance between players. After three days of the championship, Wydad remains the most efficient team in this statistical category, allowing only 4 passes per opposing possession. However, the high positioning of his block exposes him to opposing counterattacks when his first pressing curtain is pierced.
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