Celebrated South African tactician Pitso “Jingles” Mosimane feels vindicated after awakening a sleeping giant in Saudi Arabia.
Mosimane has successfully guided Al-Ahli back to the lucrative Saudi Pro League at the first time of asking. The new achievement further enhances his reputation.
The Kagiso-born mentor, who has had plenty of success with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, is now working his magic in the Middle East.
He was given the enormous task of awakening sleeping giants in Ahli. The club had become a pale shadow of their former selves after they were relegated last season.
PITSO MOSIMANE AWAKENS SLEEPING GIANT
Before Mosimane’s arrival last October, Ahli were struggling to keep up with the pacesetters at the top of the table.
The former Bafana Bafana coach quickly put his imprint on the team, and results changed for the Royals.
They have been battling it out at the right end of the table ever since and are firmly in the race for the league title with a handful of games left.
Their 2-1 win over Hajer Club on Wednesday night didn’t only secure their return to the top flight, but it also saw them regain top spot in the league.
Mosimane, who was questioned by some when he took the job a few months ago, has now responded emphatically. The only way he knows how.
“They told us that we are taking a career suicide, that the team has a lot of problems [management, finances etc], but we bravely took the project, irrespective,” Mosimane wrote on social media.
“They also told us we can’t resuscitate the sleeping giant. We whispered to it daily, and tonight it responded. It’s awake.”
THE RIGHT FOOTBALL PROJECT FOR MOSIMANE
Mosimane was quite particular about his next project after leaving Egyptian giants Al Ahly last year. He said it would have to resonate with his motto of “Changing the game for good.”
As he waited patiently for the right football project, Mosimane snubbed a number of offers. In October, he shocked many by joining a Saudi second-tier outfit.
And just like he has done pretty much everywhere he has been, Mosimane is leaving a big mark. And he is not done just yet!
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