Pitso Mosimane is the new head coach for Saudi Arabia’s second-tier outfit Al Ahli Saudi, the club announced on Sunday.
He moves to the Middle East three months after parting ways with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Pitso Mosimane spent two years in Cairo, guiding Al Ahly to two CAF Champions League titles.
He also managed to win two Bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup and two CAF Super Cup titles.
PITSO MOSIMANE’S PREDECESSOR
At Ahli, Mosimane replaces Uruguayan mentor Robert Dante Siboldi who joined the club earlier this year.
His task was to save the club from relegation from the topflight after taking over from Kosovan coach Besnik Hasi. The club axed Hasi after a string of poor results with seven games left before the curtain came down on last season.
There were calls as early as September 2021 for the coach to be axed after the club didn’t win any of their first seven games, collecting just five points.
However, Siboldi was unable to save the club from relegation, missing out by just a point.
Al Ahli, who were desperate for a win to survive the chop, drew against Al Shabab on the last day of the league and could not avoid losing the category in Saudi Arabia.
The team, which was founded in 1937, suffered its first relegation after picking 32 points from 30 games.
During his tenure, Siboldi managed one win, four draws and two defeats, which was not enough to save them.
Under his tutelage, they scored 10 goals and conceded 12.
HIS IMMEDIATE TASK
Pitso Mosimane’s task would be to restore the team’s topflight status and get it competing again in the top tier.
Being the first time the club tasted relegation, the fans would be eager to bounce back to the topflight.
Al Ahli are seventh on the table after five games in the 18-team league. They have won two games, drew twice and lost once. Early pacesetters Al Akhdoud have amassed 12 points from four wins and one loss in five fixtures.
