Mosimane Reacts To Thrilling Last Minute Ahly Winner

Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has lauded his side after their two stoppage-time goals secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over ENPPI on Saturday evening.

Ahly looked to be heading towards second league defeat in five games with ENPPI leading at the end of regulation time but Ali Maaloul netted in the 92nd and 97th minute to spark wild scenes of jubilation amongst the technical team and supporters at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo.

It could prove to be a major moment for their ambitions in the 2021/22 campaign as Mosimane looks to secure his first league title at the club as they moved four points behind reigning champions Zamalek, with three games in hand.

“We won [this game] because we played well,” Mosimane told On-Time Sports after the game.

“It was not easy for us to play on the pitch, it’s not easy. I told the players, we need to win on this pitch, nobody must complain about how the ball is bouncing and the condition of the pitch, we must play because ENPPI is playing on the same pitch.

“The principle of football is if you play well, you have a chance to win. I think ENPPI made one chance only and the free-kick that they scored. But we missed a lot of chances, we deserved the win, I didn’t know we’ll win in the last minute, I knew we’d score but not two goals. So the spirit was right.”

With more than six first-team players ruled out of the starting eleven and a largely make-shift defence and midfield, Mosimane said his message to the players to motivate them is the fact that they are likely to start against Wydad Atheltic Club in the CAF Champions League final next week.

The Club of the Century have been suffering from several injuries and fatigue in their squad with arguably the most taxing schedule in African football, having played in the FIFA Club World Cup, CAF Super Cup, two domestic competitions while their international stars featured at the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA Arab Cup this season too.

“The players know this team we played against ENPPI, they know it’s the team playing in a cup final next week – they know they are playing a cup final next week because we can’t talk about the players that are not around,” Mosimane added.

“That’s the message, that’s the message we gave boarding the flight to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup, we’re not new to this – whoever is on the pitch must play to win. Until the doctor tells me different, but tonight, that’s the team playing the CAF Champions League final.”

Ahly will now face Eastern Company in the league on Wednesday before travelling to Casablanca for the clash against Wydad as they look towards securing an unprecedented third African Champions League title in a row.

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