Al Ahly legends now turn heat on Mosimane’s successor Soares
Some Al Ahly legends, who took turns criticising Pitso Mosimane while at the helm of the Egyptian team, have now started turning the heat on his successor Ricardo Soares following the club’s domestic league struggles.
Al Ahly former star Ahmed Belal has become the first to punch holes in Soares’ tactics since he replaced Mosimane two months ago, signalling that the honeymoon is over.
Belal told the Kingfut website on Monday that the Portuguese mentor should shoulder the blame for the team’s failure to catch up with leaders and rivals Zamalek despite having had some games in hand, which have since shrunk to just one.
Belal said it was disappointing that Al Ahly have only won six out of the last 15 games, with seven games to the finish line.
“I believe Al Ahly board explained the situation to Soares before he came to Egypt. That’s why he’s responsible for the results. Both the coach and the players are responsible for the recent setbacks. Excuses are not accepted,” Belal is quoted as saying.
“Al Ahly have previously won the league despite being nine points behind Zamalek with Lasarte. We still have seven games left.”
What Soares is being subjected to is similar to what his predecessor Mosimane endured,, especially after a draw or a loss, a fan Alex Basopo Kazimiro said.
“These former Al Ahly players are to blame. They criticized Pitso for being black. Shame on them. Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Fadl and Amir Abdelhamid,” he tweeted.
Mosimane’s agency had complained that some of the criticisms that the former Al Ahly players were subjecting the South African were unfair, looking at his track record in the two years he spent with the team.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor eventually resigned from Al Ahly soon after the 2-0 loss to Wydad Athletic in the CAF Champions League final, insisting he wanted to take a break from the taxing demands of coaching the continent’s biggest club whose supporters demand winning at all cost and results with substance in playing style.
Al Ahly are in third place on the log table, lying 11 points behind Zamalek with two games in hand.
On Monday evening, Zamalek moved closer than ever to their second successive Egyptian Premier League title after beating rivals Pyramids 3-0.
Winning the league title was, therefore, no longer in the hands of the Reds following the goalless draw against Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC on Sunday.
Al Ahly now face Pharco FC on Wednesday in a league game.
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