Mission accomplished, but is the Saudi dance over for Mosimane?

If there is a coach who continues to fly the flag high for South African coaches, it has to be none other than Pitso Mosimane.

One can only marvel at what Mosimane has achieved as a coach, from his days at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly SC, and his current club, Al Ahli Saudi, whom he managed to lead back to the Saudi Pro League with four matches to spare.

But just after pulling off another great feat, the rumour mill says Al Ahli will not renew Mosimane's contract, and he could be on his way out.

If the rumours are true, it will be an absolute shock, considering the good work Mosimane has done with the club, but shocks are what we have come to expect in the world of football.

But again, if Mosimane does exit Al Ahli, it will paint a clear picture of what these so called 'big clubs' think of African coaches, which is a sensitive but glaring contrast to how European coaches are handled.

It happened to Mosimane with Al Ahly SC, it won't be much of a surprise if it happens again at Al Ahli Saudi, it is what it is.

Mosimane's agent, Moira Tlhagane, hasn't confirmed the rumours, but did say they are busy cooking some stuff, a surprise she doesn't want to spoil, which leaves the writing very clear on the wall for all who can read.

"I think South Africa knows that normally we wake up and then there is an action, so let’s not spoil the surprise. Let’s leave it at that, we’re still cooking some stuff," Tlhagale told Thabiso Mosia, as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/pitso-linked-with-shock-al-ahli-exit/

"Where ever. [The] Mission has been accomplished but where to from here?

"Let’s just leave it [at that], we’ll announce."

Whatever happens will happen, but the truth is, based on his achievements, Mosimane is one coach who doesn't deserve a 'journey person' tag around his neck, he deserves more respect than he is afforded. 

'It’s a big pleasure to fight with Pitso again' - Solinas

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Giovani Solinas, who recently joined Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia, says he is looking forward to facing Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahli Saudi.

The two sides will clash in an all-important Saudi Arabia second tier encounter tonight (Saturday) at 21:00.

Solinas, who is one of the least loved coaches ever to coach Chiefs, went on to sing Mosimane's praises, saying he is a good coach that a lot of people can learn from.

"It’s pleasure for me to be meeting Pitso again because he’s my friend,” Solinas, told iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/sa-stars-abroad/solinas-praises-mosimane-ahead-of-clash-in-saudi-arabia/

"I have a good relationship with him and I like the football style of Mosimane. So it’s a big pleasure to fight with Pitso again, because he’s a very good coach and everyone can learn from him.

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"You can see since he arrived here, Ahli has improved a lot and they are strong – it is a team that doesn’t deserve to be playing in Division 1 but in the Premier League."

Mosimane's Al Ahli Saudi are top of the table and looking good for promotion to the Saudi Arabian premier league.

As for Solinas' Al Faisaly, they are fifth on the log, and still in with a chance at gaining promotion. 

The real reason why Mosimane was not appreciated in Egypt revealed!

Mosimane during his Al Ahly SC days. Image: Twitter

When Pitso Mosimane joined Al Ahly SC from Mamelodi Sundowns, he continued to do what he does best, which is winning trophies.

Despite his winning efforts, which included Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup success, some sections of Al Ahly fans and legends never warmed up to Jingles.

Just recently, Al Ahly treasurer, Khaled Mortagy raised some eyebrows when he said Marcel Koller, who is their current coach, is better than Mosimane.

"As a fan, I see that Al Ahly has a very good team, and it has the best coach that came to Egypt since Manuel Jose, and his technical staff is exceptional," Mortagy said on King Fut.

"Pitso Mosimane was different, but Koller is much better than him. Mosimane achieved titles, but Al Ahly’s performances dropped massively during his last period." 

But North African Football except, Haytham Mohamed, who spoke to ThisIsFootball.Africa, put things into better perspective.

"There are some fans that believe in Mosimane, and say he deserves a better chance. But the problem here in Egypt is that the fans are demanding," he said. Watch the full interview with North African football expert Haytham Mohamed here https://youtu.be/3KXWlycVQas

"Al Ahly is the biggest team in Egypt and Africa, winning the league, and winning the Caf Champions League is a must. So they are used to it.

"Now they want the next level, that Al Ahly plays the best football in Egypt, and Africa.

"They didn't like the way Mosimane won, especially in Africa. He just won the games, knew how to win the games, but didn't play good football. That is something Al Ahly fans don't like."

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The Red Eagles take on Al Hilal Omdurman tonight (Saturday 01 April) at 21:00 in a must win last group stage game.

They were almost knocked out of the competition a week ago, only saved by a last minute penalty save by Ronwen Williams, which denied Al Hilal a win that would have seen Al Ahly exit.

History though, is on the Egyptians side. Each time they have endured a difficult group stage campaign, Al Ahly have gone on to conquer Africa. 

Al Ahly were poor under Mosimane - Says Mortagy

Image credit: Micky Jnr Twitter. 

Despite winning the CAFCL, the Caf Super Cup and guiding Al Ahly SC to a third place finish in the Fifa Club World Cup, it seems Pitso Mosimane didn't do enough to please some sections of the Al Ahly hierarchy.

Al Ahly SC treasurer, Khaled Mortagy, believes current mentor, Marcel Koller, is way better than Mosimane.

Mortagy's comments come at a time when Al Ahly almost got knockout on match-day five of the Caf Chanpions League.

They were saved by Ronwen Williams last minute penalty save against Al Hilal Omdurman, whom they have to beat at home on match-day six to advance to the quarter-finals.

"As a fan, I see that Al Ahly has a very good team, and it has the best coach that came to Egypt since Manuel Jose, and his technical staff is exceptional," Mortagy said on King Fut as quoted by goal.comhttps://www.goal.com/en-za/news/koller-much-better-than-pitso-al-ahly-official-mortagy-downplays-mosimane-achievements-at-egyptian-giants/bltb5b258097ecf2ca0

"Pitso Mosimane was different, but Koller is much better than him. Mosimane achieved titles, but Al Ahly’s performances dropped massively during his last period. 

Mosimane's training sessions were not good enough:

"There were no adequate training sessions with the South African coach. I don’t want to talk more about Mosimane’s negatives. He won us many trophies and we should respect him for that. He is one of the best coaches," he added.

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"Koller is a different school in many matters, including thought, and all the managers that took charge of Al Ahly were respectable.

"Marcel Koller among his specialties is to follow up on the youth team and he is focusing on this as we saw players from the youth team who participated with the first team lately."

One is left wondering whether Mortagy's comments would be the same if Mosimane was a European coach.

But that is a story for another day. 

Mosimane runs the rule over the Broos.

Al Ahli Saudi coach, Pitso Mosimane. Image: Twitter

If there is a coach who is fearless when it comes to speaking his mind, it is Pitso Mosimane.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly SC coach, who is currently based in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli Saudi, has said his piece on Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos.

Broos, who is also prone to shooting from the hip, is under deep scrutiny after his Bafana side gave away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Liberia.

Mosimane has come out to say that he is taken aback by the things said by Broos.

"Sometimes our coach says what he wants to say, any time any day, I listened to a voice clip [on Wednesday], he said that he’s responsible for AFCON but nobody must blame him for the World Cup [failure]," Mosimane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/bafana-bafana/mosimane-on-broos-sometimes-coach-says-what-he-wants/

"I think when you are a national [team] coach, it’s AFCON and the World Cup hey, so maybe he was told that he’s not responsible for the results of the World Cup, I mean how do you say that – I don’t why he said that.

"But anyone, I think Coach Broos has done well by unveiling young players and all that at the beginning of course, it’s a little bit different now, Themba Zwane is back, Percy [Tau] is back, which is good – I think we will qualify for AFCON, we only need four points.

"I’ve seen Liberia play against Morocco, in Morocco, we will qualify. But sometimes coach Broos says whatever he wants to say, I get taken aback and as a South African citizen and as a coach, sometimes."

While Mosimane conceded that the things uttered by Broos to the media could reflect his personality, he believes the Belgian mentor has no excuse not to lead South Africa to the next world cup.

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"But that’s his own personality and philosophy and how he looks at our country, I don’t know – what’s important is focusing on results, take us to AFCON, very well that’s what we want and we have no excuse not to make the World Cup, the next World Cup? I mean it’s’ nine countries, I mean how can we miss that? We won’t miss that."

Incidentally, South African football fans believe Mosimane should be recalled to lead Bafana Bafana, with no more faith shown in Broos after the Liberia saga. 

Mosimane believes Hunt can win the Caf Champions League.

Image: Al Ahli Saudi Twitter. 

Pitso Mosimane has invited Gavin Hunt to launch during the off-season, to plan for the Caf Champions League.

Mosimane, currently coaching Al Ahli Saudi in Saudi Arabia, has won Africa's Premier club competition three times, twice with Al Ahly and once with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.

He believes Hunt can emulate his success in Africa and win the CAFCL with SuperSport United, which is a major compliment coming from a coach of Jingles' standing.

Supersport United are currently second on the Dstv Premiership log with 39 points in 23 games.

They are just two points ahead of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, both at 37, who are also in the hunt for the CafCL spot.

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With the experienced Hunt as their coach this season, SuperSport have turned into a competitive side once again, and it will be no surprise if they finish ahead of Pirates and Chiefs to clinch the coveted CafCL spot.

After Hunt congratulated him for winning coach of the month in Saudi Arabia, Mosimane responded by inviting the Amantsantsantsa coach to lunch, with the CafCL on the menu.

"Thanks. Off-season I will host you for lunch and plan for [the] Caf Champions League," said Mosimane.

"I know you can win it, why not? You have been in this tournament for many years and you understand it well. Just a courtesy lunch and a catch-up meeting also."