PITSO COULD FACE WARRIORS

JOHANNESBURG. — South African legendary coach Pitso Mosimane could still be in line to manage world-class players, albeit in the most populous country in Africa, should he depart Saudi Arabia.

It means he could guide the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier against the Warriors.

Mosimane was linked with the Super Eagles job before the Africa Cup of Nations started and more so after former head coach Jose Peseiro vacated his post in February despite leading the West African nation to the final of the tournament.

Nigeria have appointed caretaker coach Finidi George for the friendly international matches against Ghana and Mali, but they are still searching for a permanent coach to take over as from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which resume in June.

Mosimane’s manager, Moira Tlhagale, has revealed that she is currently in talks with teams for the upcoming season as contingency plans should the former Bafana Bafana coach not extend his four-month deal with Abha Club.

Furthermore, Tlhagale has revealed that she has a mandate from Mosimane and his technical team to particularly look for national team opportunities.

“Local, no. I’ll tell you, definitely the next move the coach would like to do and the whole technical team (would like to do) is the national team,” Tlhagale told reporters at Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools trials in Mamelodi.

“So, we’re looking at those options for national teams. That’s the mandate they’ve given me.

“But obviously if there’s a project, even locally, that comes, we’ll consider it,” she added.

Mosimane has previously not hidden his interest to coach Nigeria, with his comments to that effect coming after he left Al Wahda last year in November.

“To be honest, I still want to do a national team. I don’t choose what comes, but if you say, ‘Am I interested?’ I am interested,” he told the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) in a virtual interview.

“I would like to lead a team in the World Cup. Africa has nine places.

“But to have (Samuel) Chukwueze and the boy playing for Napoli (Victor Osimhen) as your striker — that Nigerian team is unbelievable,” he added. — KickOff/Sports Reporter.