Pitso Mosimane’s agency MT Sports has detailed the reasons behind his shock move to Saudi Arabian First Division side Al Ahli SC for his first foray outside Africa.
Mosimane’s appointment at the four-time Saudi Pro league champions was confirmed in the early hours on Sunday morning catching everyone by surprise despite being linked with several jobs since leaving Al Ahly in Egypt back in June.
His spell in Cairo elevated his status into the most sought-after manager on the continent, but with a taste of the vast riches and success at the biggest club on the continent, it was unsaid but quite clear that his future lies beyond what African football can now offer.
But ahead of his trek to Jeddah with his trusted technical team of Kyle Solomons, Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoaga – naturally it’s been questioned by the general South African public how this second-tier side managed to secure the services of the three-time CAF Champions League winning coach.
It’s best described by Mosimane’s recent social media remark of ‘waking the sleeping giant’. Back in 2012 Ahli were Asian Champions League finalists and mismanagement and poor leadership resulted in their swift decline.
“MT Sports has received numerous offers from clubs and national teams around the world for the services of Coach Pitso and his dream team. However, the mandate that MT Sports received from the coaches was to only take on an interesting and challenging project that will enable them to have an impact in turning a team into champions,” the part of the statement made available to the media.
“Al Ahli Saudi Football Club was founded in 1937 and is currently 85 years old, making it the second oldest club in Saudi Arabia. Al Ahli Saudi F.C is one of the four founding members of the Saudi Pro League and had never been relegated until 2022. It is considered one of the kingdom’s “big four” clubs alongside Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nasser.
“The club has a history of winning titles however, due to recent challenges, this has resulted in them playing in the First Division League. With a large fan base in Saudi and a cabinet filled with 28 trophies, the club is more than ready to make its way back into the Pro League to facing its founding “big four” rivals.
“With Coach Pitso Mosimane’s experience and his track record of being the football coach turn-around strategist, the CAF Pro License coaching graduate and one of the most successful coaches in Africa, he is more than suitable for this role. The opportunity to lead such a prestigious club in Saudi Arabia presents itself as the perfect project to yield a win-win result for both parties.”
Mosimane will start his exciting new venture with a derby against Jeddah FC on Wednesday, 5 October, when the Saudi second-tier campaign resumes. The are currently in seventh place after five games, four points off the league leaders.
