Pitso Mosimane’s bid to save Abha Club from relegation in the Saudi Pro League suffered a major dent after losing to Al Shabab on Thursday night.
Mosimane’s men lost 5-0 to Al Shabab in a match that was played at Al-Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh.
Abha Club came into this one sitting in 15th position in the Saudi Pro League with 25 points on their tally.
As a result, they remained stuck in the same position, with one point separating them from Al Akhoud who sat on the first relegation spot.
They were hoping to complete a league double over Al Shabab who they beat 2-1 in the first leg. But that was before Mosimane’s appointment, whose task was to save Abha Club from relegation.
Abha made some promising moves in the opening exchanges of the match. But it was not their day as they succumbed to the Shabab’s stars who ran riot.
These include ex-Atletico Madrid midfielder Yannick Carrasco. And it was he who thrust the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Habib Diallo doubled Shabab’s scores in the 57th minute and Carlos Alberto Carvalho made it three on the 78th-minute mark. Carlos completed his brace six minutes later. Carrasco completed his brace in the referee’s optional time.
PITSO MOSIMANE FACES A HERCULEAN TASK IN HIS MISSION TO SAVE ABHA CLUB
Under Mosimane, Abha Club have now played nine games where they won three times, drew twice, and lost on four occasions.
In total, they have now collected 11 points out of a possible 27. Without a doubt, this stage remains critical for the veteran gaffer and his club.
The next games will be key in ensuring their safety. They have dates with Al Akhoud, Al Ittihad and Damak respectively.
How they will perform against the three teams will likely shape where they will end up as the season reaches its boiling point. Simply put, Mosimane must inspire his team to win at least six of the remaining seven games.
They will hope that other relegation candidates like Al Tai and Al Akhoud drop points along the way. Last week, Abha Club moved out of the Saudi Pro League relegation zone when they beat Al Fateh at home.
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