Pitso Mosimane’s FIFA Club World Cup shadow hangs over Al Ahly
Coach Pitso Mosimane’s shadow will hang over Al Ahly as they return to the FIFA Club World Cup on February 1 2023.
The former Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane raised the bar at the Club World Cup. The DStv Premiership award-winning coach won two Club World Cup bronze medals.
WHY AL AHLY NEW COACH HAS A BIG TASK MATCHING PITSO MOSIMANE’S FEAT
Now, Al Ahly new coach Marcel Koller has a big task. He must match Pitso Mosimane’s record with the Egyptian Premier League giants.
The Swiss manager Marcel Koller returns to the Club World Cup in Morocco. Marcel Koller will find Pitso Mosimane’s shadow in Morocco.
Al Ahly take on Auckland City of New Zealand at Ibn Barttout Stadium on February 1 2023.
The Egyptian Premier League side owe their Club World Cup participation to Pitso Mosimane’s exploits.
This year, it should have been the turn of Wydad Casablanca to represent Africa at the Club World Cup.
However, FIFA pushed the 2022 edition forward to this year due to the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.
That meant for this year, it is Al Ahly against representing Africa again. It is all due to the 2021 Champions League title which the South African won.
This despite that the Egyptians lost 2-0 to Wydad Casablanca in the 2022 CAF Champions League final.
HOW THE EX-BAFANA COACH PERFORMED AT AL AHLY
The defeat proved to be Mosimane’s last act with the Club of Century. The ex-Bafana coach resigned and went on a Sabbatical.
The South African left after also winning two CAF Champions League titles.
Now, it is the turn of the former Austria mentor Marcel Koller to replicate that feat.
Koller has so far won two Champions League preliminary round matches against US Monastir.
He also remains unbeaten in 15 Egyptian Premier League matches.
The Swiss coach has won 11 games and drawn four to lead the table.
The Reds are six points clear of second-placed Pyramids who have played one game more.
However, Koller’s litmus test lies at the Club World Cup in Morocco.
Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib makes winning the Club World Cup and Champions League a must.
You can miss out on the domestic league title and survive.
Certainly, not with the Champions League and the Club World Cup underperformance.
WHAT AL AHLY PRESIDENT TOLD THE TEAM
Mahmoud El Khatib addressed Koller and his players on Monday in Morocco.
“During the meeting, El Khatib stressed the importance of Wednesday’s game,” Al Ahly website reports.
El Khatib added that he has faith in Koller and the players.
He hopes the players “will secure a great achievement, which meets the high expectations of Al Ahly fans.”
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