Former Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is set to face off with his ex-paymasters in a tricky AFC Champions League tie.
Mosimane is hoping to turn around Esteghlal FC’s fortunes in the league as well as the AFC Champions League.
The AFC Champions League is headed to the round of 16. Eight teams will qualify from the East and West groups, respectively.
Each group consists of 12 teams. As it stands, Mosimane and his men have a paltry four points after five matches. In addition, they are seventh on the log standings in the West group.
Last time out, they dropped points after a 0-0 draw with Pakhtakor FC. The match was played at the Rashid Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
As the tournament reaches its boiling point, the former Bafana Bafana coach faces his former team in a decisive encounter.
PITSO MOSIMANE SET TO FACE HIS FORMER CLUB, AL AHLI SAUDI
Esteghlal FC are set to take on Al Ahli Saudi on 2 December in an AFC Champions League. The match will be played at the King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia.
Al Ahli Saudi sit on pole position in the group, with 15 points in five matches. Mosimane spent some time at the helm of Al Ahli Saudi between September 2022 and June 2023.
Furthermore, he played a key role in helping them regain their place in the Saudi Pro League.
Mosimane and the technical team consisting of Maahier Davids, Kabelo Rangoaga, Musi Matlaba, Kyle Solomon, and Hamad Alyami left the team after promotion into Saudi’s elite league.
Al Ahli Saudi went on to assemble a team that looks formidable on paper, with former Manchester City FC forward Riyad Mahrez headlining the team.
And former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino is the captain of the team. Ivan Toney is also a key part of the team. In addition, Franck Kessie and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy are some of the notable stars in the team.
How Mosimane and his men will fare remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to see if they can garner a win against a star-studded team.
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