What Mosimane needs to do to survive relegation in Saudi Pro League
South African coach Pitso Mosimane finds himself under increasing pressure as he attempts to rescue Abha Club from the relegation zone in the Saudi Pro League.
With just 12 matches remaining in the season, the spotlight shines brightly on Mosimane. He’ll need to call upon his vast experience and tactical prowess to help Abha retain their top-flight status.
FARPost writer Otis Ntshangase looks at what Mosimane needs to do in the remaining games to steer Abha from relegation.
This season, the league has been revamped with the addition of two more teams, bringing the total to 18. The stakes are higher for clubs this year, as three teams will be relegated at the season’s end, up from two the previous season.
Last season’s relegated teams, Al-Adalah and Al-Batin, only managed 28 and 20 points, respectively. To ensure Abha’s survival, former Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Mosimane will need to secure at least five victories. This would take Abha Club to a total of 33 points, putting them in a better position to avoid relegation.
The 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season is heating up with only 12 matches remaining!
With Abha Club precariously placed in 17th position, Mosimane has a tough challenge ahead. In his remaining 12 matches in charge, he’ll need to turn the tide and steer the club clear of relegation. Abha’s struggles for form and consistency so far this season make their fight for survival even more critical.
The club has collected only 18 points from 22 league outings. They’re on par with Al-Tai, a side they defeated 2-0 on Friday, 1 March. Abha are two points shy of safety, and 15th-place Al-Raed has 20 points.
There isn’t much point difference between the teams above Abha in the bottom half of the table. The gap is only 10 points, and these teams are Al Feiha, Al-Wehda, Al-Shabab, Al-Khaleej, Al Akhdoud, Al-Riyadh, Al-Raed, and Al-Tai.
However, all the above teams have a better goal difference than Mosimane’s side, which has minus 29. This is the second-worst in the league after Al-Hazm’s minus 30.
Abha’s remaining matches for the season will be difficult. They will face Al-Ettifaq, Al-Wehda, Al-Riyadh, Al Fateh, Al-Ittihad, Damac, Al-Ahli Saudi and Al-Khaleej, the clubs they lost against in the first half of the campaign.
Then Abha will take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Al-Hazm, whom they drew against in a reverse fixture. Lastly, they will play Al-Shabab and Al Akhdoud, the two sides they defeated.
Mosimane and his troops will next face Al-Ettifaq away from home on Saturday, 9 March. Kickoff at Abdullah Al Dabil Stadium is at 16H00.
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