Tough road ahead for Mosimane

Al Ahli won their first match of the 2023 calendar year beating Al-Shoula 2-0 in the Saudi-Arabia First Division but coach Pitso Mosimane still has a long to go to get the team back to the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ahli, who are the founders of the Saudi Pro League, won the league nine times before they were relegated to the First Division last season for the first time in the club’s history.

The Jeddah club also holds the record for 8 King Cups win and the longest unbeaten run in the league with 51 matches which ran from 2014 to 2016.

Three teams will get promoted to the Saudi Pro League at the end of the season and Mosimane’s team is currently in sixth place on the log, with 24 points – six points behind pace setters Al-Faisaly with one game in hand.

Al-Ahli parted ways with Uruguay-born coach, Robert Siboldi, in September 2022 and appointed Mosimane. The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach’s first match in charge was a 1-1 draw to Jeddah SC in the local derby.

Since then, the club has won four matches and drew three. With 19 matches remaining before the end of the season, Al-Ahli have a good chance of getting promoted back to the Saudi Pro League.

MOSIMANE AL-AHLI RECORD
v Jeddah SC (1-1 draw)
v Najran (2-1 win)
v Al-Riyadh (2-0 win)
v Al-Ain (0-0 draw)
v Hajer Club (3-1 win)
v Al Rabi (0-0 draw)
v Al Sahel (2-2 draw)
v A-Shoula (2-0 win)

MOSIMANE BAFANA BAFANA RECORD
P W D L GF GA
23 9 10 4 17 8

PITSO MOSIMANE FACT FILE
FULL NAME:
Pitso John Hamilton Mosimane
Born: 26/7/1964 in Kagiso
Source: Rockville Hungry Lions
Previous clubs: Jomo Cosmos, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Ionikos (Greece: July 1989-February 1995); Al Saad (Qatar), FC Rita Berlaar (Belgium)
Professional Debut: Jomo Cosmos vs Orlando Pirates (1984)
International debut: Mauritius 1 South Africa 3 (25/7/1993)
First International goal: Mauritius 1 South Africa 3 (25/7/1993)
Honours: 4 International caps (1 goal), 1987 NSL Champion (Jomo Cosmos); 1986 Mainstay Cup winner (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Career record as a player
SEASON CLUB MATCHES GOALS

1985 Jomo Comos 31 23
1986 Mamelodi Sundowns 26 5
1987 Mamelodi Sundowns 5 2
Jomo Cosmos 17 8
1988 Jomo Cosmos 13 9
1989 Orlando Pirates 14 7
1989-95 Ionikos (Greece) No data available
1995 Mamelodi Sundowns (1 sub only) 0
1996 Al Saad (Qatar) No data available
1997 FC Rita Berlaar (Belgium) No data available
1997/98 Mamelodi Sundowns 3 1
Total 109 55

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