Pitso Mosimane faces his former club in the quest to save Abha
Pitso Mosimane faces his former paymasters, Al Ahli Saudi FC in his quest to help Abha Club retain their Saudi Pro League status.
Abha Club are currently embroiled in what has been a riveting relegation dogfight. Three games remain before the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season ends.
As it stands, Abha Club are 15th on the log table, one place above the relegation zone after they drew 0-0 against Damac FC last Friday.
With 29 points in 31 games, Abha need something special to survive the chop, considering how they have fared. They have conceded 27 goals in their last 12 games with Mosimane at the helm.
The rate they concede has been their weakness even before Mosimane was appointed. In total, they have let in 79 goals in 31 games.
Abha, however, still have some hope of surviving, considering how the other teams in the relegation zone have dropped points.
In truth, saving their Saudi Pro League status can only be possible if they win the remaining three games. How the likes of Al-Raed, Al Akhdoud, Al Tai and Al Riyadh fare will be critical to Abha’s cause.
MOSIMANE TO FACE HIS FORMER TEAM, AL AHLI AT THE WEEKEND
And this time around, their quest to survive faces a daunting task against third-placed Al Ahli Saudi FC in a match that will see Mosimane come eye-ball to eye-ball with his former bosses. The two teams are scheduled to lock horns on Saturday, 18 May 2024, at the King Abdullah Sports City at 8pm.
For the former Bafana Bafana coach, it will be an emotional return to the King Abdullah Sports City, albeit under different circumstances. Under Mosimane’s guidance, Al Ahli Saudi gained promotion into Saudi Arabia’s elite league.
However, the revered tactician left in July 2023 despite helping them leap back into elite league football. The ex-Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns mentor terminated his contract with the club after not getting paid for several months.
Despite fulfilling the mandate to gain promotion, Mosimane and his staff were being owed months’ worth of salaries. Mosimane was at the club for just one season.
And their clash on Saturday will be a must-win as Abha hopes to avoid dropping back into the red zone. After Al Ahli Saudi, they take on Al Khaleej. They will end the season with a clash against Al Hazm, who currently sit at the bottom.
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