Official: Zinnbauer Unveiled By African Giants

Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has been unveiled by Moroccan giants Raja Athletic Club.

Zinnbauer, 53, was out of a job since an unsuccessful stint at Lokomotiv Moscow, leaving the Russian side in October.

He had been linked with a return to the DStv Premiership and had agreed a deal in principle with Richards Bay, before Raja literally stole the German tactician from under the noses of the KwaZulu-Natal side.

Zinnbauer replaces head coach Mondher Kebaier, who was sacked on Thursday for breach of contract, due being absent for the past nine days from training without an adequate reason, as earlier reported by iDiski Times.

The former Pirates head coach, who won the MTN8 in 2020/21 with the Buccaneers and had one of the highest points-per-game averages at Orlando Stadium, signed a two-year deal with the three-time CAF Champions League winners.

“I’m happy to be here at Raja. I know the club, I know the city, I know the supporters,” he said during his unveiling.

“I had my experience against them [losing 4-0]. The target is to win titles here and bring success.”

Raja, who collected 16 points during the CAF Champions League group stages but were knocked out by Al Ahly, only sit in sixth place in the Botola Pro league, with four games to spare.

The Green Eagles are still in the Arab Cup group stages where they will CR Belouizdad on 20 June and in semi-final of the Throne Cup, where they will face Wydad Athletic Club in a Casablanca Derby later this season.

Zinnbauer’s first game in charge is a league match against last year’s CAF Confederations Cup winners RS Berkane, who sit one point ahead of them in the league in fifth place.