Pitso Mosimane’s winning run ended in the Saudi Arabian First Division [SAFF] when his Al-Ahli Saudi lost 1-4 to AL-Okhdood on Thursday.
The loss has blown the second-tier league wide open at the top. Four leading teams, including the team coached by the former Bafana Bafana mentor, Pitso Mosimane, are at par on 37 points.
It was Pitso Mosimane’s first loss in 13 matches since he took over the second-tier team, Al-Ahli Saudi.
The Al-Ahli tactician has won seven league games, drawn five matches and lost once with the Jeddah-based outfit.
All seemed on track during the game for the former Al Ahly coach at Prince Abdulla Al-Faisal Stadium.
Bastos had given Al-Ahli the lead with a 34th minute goal.
However, equalized before half-time to stun the home crowd.
AL-Okhdood added three more goals after break.
WHAT THE DEFEAT MEANS FOR PITSO MOSIMANE’S IN TITLE RACE
The defeat saw Al-Ahli slide down to third place on the log table with 37 points from 19 games..
However, Pitso Mosimane can take comfort in the fact that it is only goal-difference that separates Al Ahli from the top two teams.
AL-Okhdood lead the standings with a better goal difference of +16.
The leaders have 37 points from 19 games at par with second-placed Alhazem FC.
Alhazem have a goal difference of +14 compared to +13 for Pitso Mosimane’s Al-Ahli.
Each team has 15 games to go before the champion can be decided.
At stake is promotion to the Saudi Arabian Professional League.
The Jeddah-based team had seen off Qaisumah 2-0 to go three points clear of Al-Hazem last week.
Al-Ahli had displaced Al Faisaly who are now in fourth place also with 37 points.
Al Faisaly had led the log table for the better part of the race only to surrender the position to Mosimane’s charge last week.
AL-AHLI’S SHORTLIVED STAY AT THE SUMMIT
Al-Ahli Saudi went top of the table for the first time under the South Africa last Tuesday when they thrashed Al-Jabalain 3-0.
Al-Ahli were then level on 34 points with the deposed leaders, Al-Faisaly.
Mosimane, is despite the defeat, on track to deliver on his mandate of earning Al-Ahli an instant return to the Saudi Arabian Professional League.
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.
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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