Pitso comments for the first time on Saudi job

On Sunday it was formally announced that Pitso Mosimane would be joining Al Ahli Saudi three months after parting ways with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Get fired up and bet on all the drama of local diski 

“I am very excited for this opportunity and I can’t wait to meet my new team,” Mosimane posted on social media on Sunday evening. “Shukran to the Chairman, CEO, Board, players, & supporters for trusting us with this mission. We will do our best, recreate history & make the green nation happy.”

ALSO READ: NDABAYITHETHWA NDLONDLO REACTS TO HIS ‘DREAM’ ORLANDO PIRATES MOVE

According to SABC Sport, Mosimane has signed a two-year deal after fending off numerous other offers that were presented to him. Ultimately, though, it was felt that this was the sort of club where he could make a true difference in the pursuit of turning their ailing fortunes around.

“With Coach Pitso Mosimane’s experience and his track record of being the football coach turn-around strategist, the CAF Pro License coaching graduate and one of the most successful African coaches, is more than suitable for this role,” commented MT Sports Managing Director Moira Tlhagale, as quoted by SABC Sport.

“The opportunity to lead such a prestigious club in Saudi Arabia presents itself as the perfect project to yield win-win result for both parties… Having left Al Ahly SC three months ago, we had received numerous offers from clubs and national teams around the world for the services of coach Pitso and his dream team. However, the mandate that MT Sports received from the coaches was to only take on an interesting and challenging project that will enable them to have impact in turning a team into champions.” 

Several weeks ago Mosimane finally received his CAF Pro Licence, which was officially handed to him by South African Football Association (SAFA) president Dr Danny Jordaan.

Mosimane enjoyed a famed coaching career with Mamelodi Sundowns, and was involved as national caretaker coach for seven games in 2007. He then went on to join Al Ahly in a high-profile move, and won several titles in Egypt before prematurely opting out of his new contract.

The popular coach in fact oversaw 105 fixtures at Al Ahly, winning 68 matches, drawing 27 and only suffering 10 defeats, and he had made it clear that he would only take up a new job if he deemed it to be the correct ‘project’.

That ‘project will now come in the form of working with Al Ahli Jeddah, who were shockingly relegated from the Saudi Pro League for the first time in the club’s history after finishing 15th with just 32 points.

The club has also endured a challenging start to the Yelo League campaign this season as they lie seventh in the standings, having accumulated just eight points after five games.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS: BOBBY MOTAUNG MAKES HUGE PERCY TAU ANNOUNCEMENT!

ALSO READ: ORLANDO PIRATES COMPLETE SIGNING OF GOALKEEPER FROM PSL CLUB!

Get fired up, alongside SA’s most passionate fans, and bet on the very best South African football in the PSL. Sign up with Betway today and you’ll get up to R1,000 as a Sports Welcome Bonus – perfect for placing a bet on all the drama of local diski.  

BREAKING: PITSO MOSIMANE AND PERCY TAU’S SHOCK FUTURE PLANS REVEALED!