adminJEDDAH. – Pitso Mosimane’s Saudi adventure started yesterday when he flew here to a warm welcome from his new employers, Al Ahli Saudi.
Pitso was accompanied by his wife, who is also his agent Moira Tlhagale.
He will work in the same second-tier league where Zimbabwe’s Gerald Takwara and Ovidy Karuru ply their trade.
Former Zimbabwe captain, Knowledge Musona, plays in the Saudi top-flight league.
On board the same flight was the Pitso technical team duo of Musi Matlaba [head analyst] and Kyle Solomon [assistant analysit].
Kabelo Rangoaga [strength and conditioning coach] was left behind as he is still finishing off a coaching education course.
He will join the team next week.
This comes after ‘Jingles’ was announced as the Saudi Arabian club head coach a week ago, three months after parting company with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
The ex-Bafana Bafana coach takes over the coaching reigns at the club from Uruguayan tactician Robert Dante Siboldi.
On his arrival, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor told Al-Riyadia, a Saudi newspaper specialising in local and international sports news that he is ready to hit the ground running and hoping to bring fruitful results to the club the best way he knows how.
He also expressed his gratitude to the club’s supporters for the “warm welcome” through social media platforms since his appointment.
“I’m ready to lead Al Ahli Saudi,” said the three-time CAF Champions League winning coach.
“And I ask the fans to come and fill the stadium to support the team and give it strength.
“I followed the crowd’s welcome on social media and felt the warmth.
In a press conference last week, the 58-year-old South African football manager explained why he decided to join the Al Ahli Saudi gig.
“We decided it’s always better to take a project that is interesting and a project that will help us have an impact,” he told the media.
“We have a mandate for two years to turn everything around. We’ve been tasked to take this dream club back to the pro league.” – FARPost
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter