An Al Ahly legend has revealed an alleged fallout that led to Pitso Mosimane’s exit from the Egyptian Premier League side.
Former Al Ahly striker Mohamed Barakat believes Pitso Mosimane fell out with the club’s board, according to the authoritative sports website Kingfut.
Kingfut quoted Barakat as having spoken to 24 Sports TV on what he thinks led to Mosimane’s resignation in June this year.
“He was backed by the board, but he was also taking aim at them during the press conferences in the latter stages of his stint to make a point,” he is quoted saying.
“Not to mention the way he spoke about renewing his contract and then about his players in an inappropriate manner.”
Mosimane must have irked the board when he reportedly insinuated that it was being influenced by a social media campaign against him, Barakat added.
“I think the final straw for him was when he insinuated that the club is led by opinions on social media, which is unacceptable because Al Ahly is a big club,” he said.
Al Ahly president Mahmoud El-Khatib suggested that there was a campaign to push out Mosimane
“By numbers and achievements, Mosimane made history in this club that nobody can deny. But who was leading the campaign against him?,” he told Al Ahly TV.
Nonetheless, Barakat described the South African coach’s spell with Al Ahly as hugely successful.
“I think Mosimane had a successful run with Al Ahly because he achieved so many titles in just 18 months,” he said.
Mosimane had left the Cairo giants a few days after suffering a 2-0 loss to Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League final.
TROPHY WINNING SPREE
The 58-year-old led Al Ahly to two Champions League titles in three attempts in addition to two FIFA Club World Cup bronze medals.
Mosimane also collected the Egyptian Super Cup and Egyptian Premier League title in his maiden season.
However, the former SuperSport United coach has often attributed the league title to his predecessor.
Mosimane joined Al Ahly in 2020 when Al Ahly had already closed in on the title.
He had also guided the team to two consecutive FIFA Club World Cup bronze medals and two CAF Super Cup victories in addition to an Egypt Cup and Egyptian Super Cup coronations.
GOING ON A SABBATICAL
The former Bafana Bafana handler went on a sabbatical to recharge after his departure from Al Ahly.
He returned to the dugout two months later to join Al Ahli Saudi FC of Saudi Arabia second tier league.
Mosimane has been tasked with steering the Jeddah-based team back to the Saudi Professional League.
Mosimane has won two games and drawn once to see Al Ahli move from sixth to third place on the log table.
