Alarming statistics as Pitso Mosimane struggles to halt Abha’s slide
South African coaching legend Pitso Mosimane is facing a daunting challenge at Saudi club Abha Club, with alarming statistics in his first 10 matches at the helm.
The relegation-threatened Abha Club, faces a deeply troubling situation almost four months after they hired the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach.
Mosimane took charge of the club in January 2024, with his assignment to save their topflight status over a period of six months.
‘Jingles’, South Africa’s most successful coach, finds himself in unfamiliar territory, having to save a club from the chop.
His career has yielded 17 trophies that include three prestigious CAF Champions League and five DStv Premiership titles.
But this time, the assignment sees him attempt the Houdini Act in the Middle East.
Following the 4-0 loss to fellow relegation battlers Al Akhdoud on Saturday, FARPost looks at Abha’s alarming statistics.
The 4-0 loss comes after another 5-0 against Al Shabab which came in the same month Mosimane suffered the biggest loss of his career. It was an 8-0 loss to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, in which the Portuguese star scored a first half hattrick.
WHAT ARE THE ALARMING STATISTICS AT PITSO MOSIMANE’S ABHA CLUB
The team’s recent form has been alarming, particularly on the defensive side.
After 10 games under Mosimane’s tutelage, Abha has only secured three wins, two draws and five losses. Even more concerning is the club’s defensive record – a staggering 26 goals conceded in those 10 matches. Overall, Abha’s porous backline has allowed 78 goals throughout the season.
The last four matches have been particularly disastrous, yielding just one win and three losses with 18 goals conceded. This abysmal run has resulted in the league’s worst goal difference, with just 31 goals scored against a massive 78 conceded.
The consequences are severe. Abha currently languishes in 17th place in the 18-team Saudi Pro League. With three teams facing relegation at the end of the season, Mosimane’s squad sits perilously close to the drop zone.
With 25 points in 29 games played, Abha finds itself looking to add to its tally in the remaining five matches of the season.
They are only one point behind 16th-placed Al Taee and two behind Alkhdoud in 15th. The pressure is mounting on Mosimane to turn things around quickly and solidify Abha’s defence if they are to avoid disaster.
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