Pitso Mosimane takes Al-Ahli to Saudi Arabian league top after win
Coach Pitso Mosimane’s Al-Ahli Saudi thrashed Al-Jabalain 3-0 on Tuesday evening to go top of the Saudi Arabian First Division.
Al-Ahli jumped three places up courtesy of Haitham Asiri’s brace and Al-Moasher’s strike. The match took place at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
MOSIMANE’S TEAM HAS DISPLACED AL-FAISALY AT THE SUMMIT
Al-Ahli are now level on 34 points with the deposed leaders, Al-Faisaly. Each team has played 17 games, but Al-Ahli have a superior goal tally.
Asiri scored in either half—in the 40th and 55th minutes—to seal the victory for Pitso Mosimane’s outfit.
Al Jabalain had a chance to sneak in a consolation after being awarded a second-half penalty.
However, Al-Ahli goalkeeper Al Rubaie produced a telling stop of the visitors’ 68th-minute penalty.
HOW AL-AHLI SURVIVED PENALTY SCARE
Al Jabalain were awarded the penalty after a reported foul by one of Al-Ahli’s players. Pitso Mosimane had, going into the game, named a strong starting XI.
The former Bafana boss had the luxury of benching his new star signing, Modou Barrow. The ex-Swansea star Barrow came in the 82nd minute in place of Al-Majhad.
However, another new signing Marcos Amaral did not make the playing squad. In the end, the South African coach extended his unbeaten league run to 11 games since he joined Al-Ahli.
Mosimane’s team will next travel to take on Al-Qaisumah on Saturday.
The South African is on track to deliver on his mandate of earning Al-Ahli an instant return to the Saudi Arabian Professional League.
WHAT THE WIN MEANS TO MOSIMANE’S RECORD IN SAUDI ARABIA
Mosimane has won six league games and drawn five matches with the Jeddah-based outfit.
He remains undefeated across all competitions. Mosimane found the team in the middle of the log table.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns gaffer took over Al-Ahli mid-last year months.
He had then just parted ways with Al Ahly of Egypt.
Mosimane went on a sabbatical for a few months after leaving the Reds of Cairo.
The 57-year-old had delivered the goods in Egypt, bagging two CAF Champions League titles in three attempts.
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