After new Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena started his reign with defeat in the Botola Pro League in Morocco, KickOff puts the loss into context.
Mokwena started his new chapter at Wydad with a 1-0 loss to Maghreb Fez on Friday, who finished 11th last season.
Most big teams around the world have had their fair share of slow starts. However, after assessing what Mokwena inherited, expectations should not be at the highest for an immediate turnaround.
READ: Under-fire Mammila pleads his case
The Red Castle had one of their worst seasons last term, after not qualifying for the CAF Champions League for the first time in nine years.
Of note, however, is that Wydad reached the African Football League final, where they were beaten by Mokwena's Mamelodi Sundowns, 3-2 on aggregate.
The 37-year-old has inherited virtually nothing to work with, with captain Jamal Harkass the only survivor from the AFL final, in Mokwena's first starting line-up, following an exodus of players in the off-season.
After the Moroccan giants' FIFA transfer ban was lifted, the South African tactician was able to name six new signings in his line-up.
Wydad had debutants Chouaib Faudi, a striker acquired from Botola outfit Mouloudia Oujda, who was accompanied by forward Mohamed Rayhi, signed from Unied Arab Emirates side Al Dhafra.
Mokwena also had new defenders Nabil Marmouk, signed from Cypriot outfit Anorthosis Famagusta, Mohammed Moufid from FAR Rabat and Zakaria Nassik, acquired from Maghreb Fez, their first opponent of the campaign.
In midfield, there was also debutant Hamza Sakhi, recruited from French Ligue 2 side AC Ajaccio.
Another new signing, South African Cassius Mailula, also got his Wydad debut off the bench, after coming on with 30 minutes to go.
The encouraging signs for Mokwena is that his side dominated possession by 69% and created 10 chances, with five of the attempts on target.
READ | Skelem: I only read about the Chiefs interest in the media
The Soweto-born coach has a big task, as more signings wait in the wings for opportunities to be integrated.
Rivals and reigning champions Raja Casablanca also lost 1-0 in their opening game, although they lost to a credible opposition in RSB Berkane.
FAR Rabat, who were dethroned of the league title last season under Nasreddine Nabi, had a flying start, hammering Chabab Mohammedia 5-0.