‘We made lemonade out of lemon’

Celebrated South African coach Pitso Mosimane has shared the effort it took to awaken a sleeping giant in Saudi Arabia.

Mosimane shocked many when he rejected a lot of offers and decided to accept a tough project in the Middle East last year.

He was given the task of promoting Jeddah giants Al-Ahli Saudi back to the Saudi Pro League following their relegation to the second tier the season before.

HOW PITSO MOSIMANE WOKE A SLEEPING GIANT

The Royals, as Ahli are affectionately known, were a shadow of their former self, languishing mid-table before Mosimane took over the reins in September last year.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly mentor duly worked his magic and helped the team slowly climb up the Saudi First Division log table.

And last week, Mosimane accomplished his first goal of promoting the side to the lucrative top flight, a task he insists wasn’t easy.

“It was not easy; in football, we take risks, but they must be calculated risks,” said Mosimane on Radio 2000.

“We have researched this league and we found that it was possible, it was doable. But its been a very difficult task, very scary and risky for our careers.

“I have never done that in my life, to come to a First Division team. But it has been done now. We have achieved our objective.

“I have listened to people asking what we did, we didn’t find a very good team here. We found a team that had been assembled, players loaned from other First Division teams. I think about five players remained here from the team that was relegated, and they were not the core of that team.

“So, I don’t know, we made lemonade out of lemons. It’s really unbelievable. It was a big test for me, and I’m humbled that it worked out well. To be honest, I was doubtful myself, but after doing our research, we found that it was doable. We were seventh or eighth when we arrived, and you know where we are now. We don’t have to blow our own trumpet.”

Mosimane insists, though, that although it might be mission accomplished as far as promotion is concerned, it’s not quite job done.

PITSO MOSIMANE NOW TARGETING LEAGUE TITLE

The former Bafana Bafana tactician is now targeting the First Division League title with his side. They are currently favorites as they are top with three games to go.

“The biggest mission was to bring the team to the bug league, that’s where it is now,” added Mosimane.

“The second one now is to put the cherry on top of the cake, can you win the league? It’s very difficult but again, it’s doable. If we win all our matches we win the league.”

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