Coach Cavin Johnson has reportedly reacted to reports suggesting that his former boss Pitso Mosimane could make a U-turn and rejoin Al Ahly by public demand in the Egyptian football circles.
The former Platinum Stars coach told Egyptian football website KingFut it was difficult for him to say whether there was a possibility of Mosimane rejoining the Reds as he has not been in touch with him for some time.
“I don’t know if Al Ahly are currently in contact with Mosimane, I haven’t talked to him in a while,” Johnson is quoted saying.
The former Black Leopards mentor also delved on reports that Al Ahly had approached former Morocco coach Valid Halilodzic as plan B in case Mosimane does not accept to come back to the post.
“But I see news outlets talking about Halilodzic (former Morocco national team head coach), saying that he could be close to taking the job as Al Ahly manager,” he said.
“However, I think Al Ahly fans should be patient with Soares, he recently took charge of the team and he needs time.”
That the former SuperSport United mentor has not spoken to Mosimane is not very surprising considering that the relationship between the two seems to have taken a knock.
Johnson resigned as Al Ahly general manager last year well before Mosimane followed suit in June this year.
Reasons for Johnson’s departure from the Egyptian team have never been made public.
Mosimane and Johnson worked together in the trophy-laden first season that saw Al Ahly win Egyptian Cup, Egyptian Super Cup, CAF Champions League and Club World Cup bronze medal.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor resigned from the Al Ahly job in June and Ricardo Soares replaced him.
However, results have not improved under the Portuguese mentor with the league title hopes over after Wednesday night’s goalless draw against relegation-threatened Eastern Company FC.
The poor results have seen some fans demanding Mosimane’s come-back.
Al Ahly are nine points behind leaders Zamalek who face Pharco tomorrow and look certain to retain the championship.
