NEWS
Mosimane guides Al Ahli to emphatic win in friendly
Coach Pitso Mosimane guided Al Ahli Saudi Club to an emphatic 5-1 win over Radwa Club FC 5-1 in a friendly on Tuesday evening in Saudi Arabia.
Thamer Al-Ali scored twice in either half, with the other goals coming from Ziyad Al-Johani, Rayan Hamed and Lewis Grabban at Prince Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
Thamer scored for Al Ahli barely after three minutes into the game before Al-Johani added his name to the scoresheet five minutes later.
Hamed increased the lead before Brabban ensured Mosimane’s charges led 4-0 at the break.
Thamer added his second goal of the evening to seal the win moments after Rwada had pulled one back for the consolation.
It was Ahli’s third win in four games of one draw under Mosimane across all competitions.
Al Ahli have gone on a mini break in Saudi Arabia to pave the way for the forthcoming World Cup.
Mosimane wants his team to make the most of the break by playing friendlies in Saudi Arabia.
Reports suggest that the coach was against camping on foreign soil. The friendly came after Al Ahli registered a 2-0 win over Riyad on Sunday evening in a league match.
It was Al Ahli’s last game before the World Cup break.
Haitham Asiri and Hicham Faik scored in the 87th and 92nd minutes for Al Ahli to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Mosimane’s Al Ahli have since moved from fourth place to third with 15 points from eight games.
Riyad are on 10th place with 10 points, whereas Al Faisaly FC lead the table 18-member table with 16 points from seven games.
The leaders could open a four-point gap if they win their game in hand.
Mosimane took over the reins at Al Ahli three weeks ago when they were in position seven.
The South African coach recently stressed that his mission is to steer Al Ahli back to the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach spoke to the press in Saudi Arabia soon after taking over the second-tier league side.
“We might not be in the Premier League, but we are a big team. Otherwise, we would not be here. Six months before, I played against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup, we could have been anywhere, but we are here, we choose here because it is a good project,” he said.
Mosimane has returned to the trenches after spending a three-month sabbatical following his resignation from Al Ahly in Egypt in June this year.
The former Bafana Bafana coach left the Al Ahly job after spending 21 months with them.
The CAF Pro-Licence holder won two CAF Champions League titles in three attempts and missed out on the third one after losing 2-0 in the final to Wydad Casablanca.
He also steered Al Ahly to the Egyptian Premier League, Egyptian Cup and Egyptian Cup in addition to the FIFA Club World Cup bronze.
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