Pitso Mosimane has spoken about a desire to soon return to high-level coaching. Image: Twitter/Pistomosimane
MUST-READ: Pitso teases about possible Al Ahly return
Rumours continue to float around to suggest Pitso Mosimane could one day be wanted back in Egypt by former club Al Ahly.
Pitso Mosimane has spoken about a desire to soon return to high-level coaching. Image: Twitter/Pistomosimane
Not that long ago, Pitso Mosimane clearly indicated that he has no intention to rush into another coaching job after leaving Al Ahly. He previously enjoyed a famed coaching career with Mamelodi Sundowns, and was involved as national caretaker coach for seven games in 2007.
Mosimane went on to join Al Ahly in a high-profile move and won several title in Egypt before prematurely opting out of his new contract. He has now finally received his CAF Pro Licence, which was was handed to Mosimane by the South African Football Association (SAFA) president Dr Danny Jordaan in a recent press conference.
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Over the weekend, Saudi Arabian journalist Ibra Alfrayan suggested that Mosimane could be welcomed back to Al Ahly after another disappointing defeat to El Gaish, with his successor Ricardo Soares set to leave the club at the end of the season.
In response to the social media post about Mosimane links to Al Ahly, the former coach simply tweeted: “Inshallah [God willing]. I have high respect for you.”
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It remains to be seen what Pitso Mosimane’s next move will be
The popular coach had previously responded to talk of Al Ahly’s struggles after his departure, and he then suggested that his time at the club was in the past.
“I don’t like the afford part, I like the football part,” Mosimane said as quoted by iDiski Times.
“I think football will affect the financial part, so you must do the right job first. But I went there and I took my team, Kabelo [Rangoaga], Musi [Matlaba], Kyle [Solomons] and we had the mandate to do.
“You know where Al Ahly was with international tournaments and where Al Ahly was with local tournaments, with the local tournaments, they were always strong, they were winning the league and when I got there the league was already won.
“I finished the league that was already won but I’m happy to be a part of that. When we handed over the trophy and medals [I couldn’t] sit there on the side when I finished the last seven games, so I had to be part of the team, it would have sounded bad if I was on the side.
“We won a lot of things and I’m happy to be in the archives of Al Ahly with all the trophies that we won and repetitions also, we had a mandate, we fulfilled the mandate and we’re happy with what we’ve done and that’s where we will end, we did what we were supposed to do.
“That’s it – I don’t want to comment on what’s happening in Cairo, it’s not my space.”
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Mosimane is regarded as one of the most successful managers in the history of Al Ahly as he led the club to two Champions League titles (back to back), two CAF Super Cup titles, the Egypt Cup and two bronze medals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
After the recent CAF Champions League final, both Afcon winner Aliou Cisse and Mosimane completed their CAF Pro License in Morocco, and the Senegal coach apparently expressed surprise that his South African counterpart is not in charge of the national side.
Mosimane has now made it clear that he would consider pursuing a role with a strong national team where he would stand a chance of winning the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
“We always have offers,” he said as quoted by TimesLive. “The hold-up was for me to take a bit of a break — 21 years, I have always spoken about the sabbatical, which I never took.
“Now I got my chance. I feel good, I feel happy to be home. The feet will always itch, but there must also be the right project. You don’t just leave the team that you know you will go to the Champions League final with three times in a row and take it to the World Cup to mix with the Bayern Munichs and Chelseas, and suddenly go anywhere else. Then what’s in it for you?
“Yes, offers are there. But it must be the right project and I’m open. Even national teams. Because maybe the only thing I haven’t won on the continent is the Afcon, so why not?…
“We look for projects that are good — it’s not about how much you’re being paid. And there are good projects. Teams that have the opportunity to win the Afcon.
“And probably [it will be] there, because, OK, with our ego maybe the medal is the one I want to win.”
It’s been reported that current CAF Champions League holders, Wydad Casablanca, could show interest in securing the services of Mosimane, although it’s not clear if formal contact has been made yet, while he is reportedly also wanted in Iraq.
