Pitso Mosimane’s Saudi Arabia team one place down after a draw
Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahli Saudi Club dropped points following a goalless draw against Al-Arabi on Tuesday afternoon in Saudi Arabia.
The result saw Al Ahli drop on the standings of the 18-member Saudi Arabia second-tier league from fifth to sixth place.
A win could have taken Al Ahli closer to the leader Al Faisaly. Pitso Mosimane’s team has 19 points from 10 games, eight points behind Al Faisaly.
Al-Arabi lie fifth with 25 points from 13 games, two points behind Al Faisaly.
PITSO MOSIMANE’S TEAM STILL HAS PROMOTION HOPES
The former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane may take comfort in the fact that his charges have three games in hand.
The other aspect to give the ex-Al Ahly coach promotion hopes is that his team is unbeaten since he took charge.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns boss has presided over six games, winning thrice and losing also three games.
The Jeddah-based Al Ahli have now drawn twice in three league games since the restart.
The league in Saudi Arabia was on a month-long break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup that was underway in Qatar.
AL AHLI SAUDI CLUB HAD A SPRING IN THEIR STEP
Al Ahli had gone into Tuesday’s game with a spring in their step after beating Hajer Club 3-1 in the previous league match played recently.
Mosimane’s side had, before meeting Hajer, drawn 0-0 with Al-Ain on December 15 2022.
The South African coach joined the Saudi Arabian side three months ago after ending his sabbatical.
He has been tasked with steering the Jeddah-based Al Ahli back to the Saudi Pro League next season.
Mosimane is yet to lose a competitive match in charge of Al Ahli. The 58-year-old took a break to recharge after spending 21 demanding months at Al Ahly in Egypt, where his tenure was a huge success.
Mosimane resigned from Al Ahly mid this year a few days after a 2-0 loss to Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League final.
The loss denied the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach a third Champions League title with Al Ahly and, overall, fourth in his career.
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