(L-R) Musi Matlaba, Pitso Mosimane, Maahier Davids, Kabelo Rangoaga and Kyle Solomon. (Twitter: @TheRealPitso)
- Pitso Mosimane successfully fulfilled his mandate in securing Al-Ahli Saudi’s promotion back to the top flight in Saudi Arabia.
- Al-Ahli had suffered relegation for the first time in their history but rebounded under Mosimane’s leadership.
- Mosimane expressed his joy and highlighted his knack for achieving success in different leagues and competitions.
Pitso Mosimane has delivered on his “mandate” as Al-Ahli Saudi head coach in earning the club promotion back to the top flight in Saudi Arabia after they won the First Division League.
Al-Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League for the first time in their history last season, finishing with a pitiful 32 log points from 15 matches.
They found the going immensely tough in the lower division, claiming a mere eight points from seven starts before Mosimane’s timely arrival in late September on a two-year deal.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly boss has taken the club from the trenches of possible back-to-back relegation to being in pole position of winning the first division with Ahli on 62 points at the top of the table.
After 29 matches, Ahli have generated 18 wins, eight draws, and three defeats, scoring 43 goals and boasting the league’s best defensive record by only conceding 21 goals.
On Tuesday, Al-Ahil overcame Al-Qadisiyah in a 1-0 victory to officially be crowned champions, with the club’s coronation set for Monday when they play away to Al Hazm.
After the match, Mosimane took to Twitter to celebrate the achievement.
“Delivered on our mandate of promoting the team to Premier League, and tonight of winning the Championship!
“In any League or Competition, Country or Continent, we catch Big Fish! Nile River before and tonight in the Red Sea. Waiting for the next Project.”
Delivered on our mandate of promoting the team to Premier League,and tonight of winning the Championship! In any League or Competition , Country or Continent, we catch Big Fish! Nile River before and tonight in the Red Sea. ??. Waiting for the next Project.???????? pic.twitter.com/hguuUDTKly
— Pitso Mosimane (@TheRealPitso) May 23, 2023
Mosimane, who led Sundowns to the Champions League title in 2016, claimed back-to-back African titles when he was contracted at Egyptian giants Ahly.
He will now keep company with mega superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr FC, in the Saudi Pro League.
The 38-year-old forward, who wears the armband for Al-Nassr, joined the Saudi giants following his exit from Manchester United late last year ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Al-Nassr (66 points) are vying for Pro League honours in a heavyweight dual for top-flight bragging rights against Al-Ittihad (69 points) with two matches of the campaign remaining.