Club World Cup qualifiers Ahly, Wydad fire coaches

Swiss Marcel Koller was sacked by record 12-time African champions Ahly after a shock semi-finals elimination on Friday from the CAF Champions League. His dismissal followed that of South Africa-born Wydad coach Rulani Mokwena as the Moroccan outfit are unlikely to qualify for the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League.

Ahly conceded a last-minute own goal on Friday to only draw 1-1 at home against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, and lost the tie on away goals. Koller, who guided the Cairo Red Devils to the 2023 and 2024 Champions League titles, was the target of angry supporters, who flung bottles at him after the Sundowns match. 

Ahly officials held an emergency meeting and decided to fire Koller, who has been under pressure due to disappointing Egyptian Premier League results.  Seeking an eighth title in 10 seasons, defending champions Ahly are trailing Pyramids by four points in one of the most competitive African leagues. 

Reacting to his ousting, Koller said he was "deeply disappointed. We did not lose either match (against Sundowns), but are out. It is a bitter feeling." Ahly face Inter Miami on June 14 in the opening match of the new-look Club World Cup. They will also play Brazilian outfit Palmeiras and Porto in Group 

Meanwhile, Wydad axed Mokwena, the first South African to coach a top-flight Moroccan club, after six consecutive league draws left them six points behind second-placed FAR Rabat. Only the top two finishers qualify for the CAF Champions League and leaders Renaissance Berkane and FAR seem set to fill those slots with just three rounds remaining.

Mokwena paid the price for too many draws, sharing the points in 12 of 27 matches. They also made a last-16 exit from the Throne Cup, the Moroccan equivalent of the FA Cup. Wydad have reportedly chosen local Amine Benhachem as his successor. The 49-year-old has coached 11 other sides.

His last club was Renaissance Zemamra, who are one point behind third-placed Wydad in the Moroccan championship. The team finishing third go into the CAF Confederation Cup. Three-time African champions Wydad have been drawn with Manchester City, Juventus and Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates in Group G at the Club World Cup.