Siphiwe Tshabalala and Pitso Mosimane. Photo: iDiski Times
PICTURE: Tshabalala welcomes Pitso, Al Ahly and makes match prediction
Legendary former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana star Siphiwe Tshabalala has given a special welcome to Al Ahly and their coach Pitso Mosimane.
Siphiwe Tshabalala and Pitso Mosimane. Photo: iDiski Times
Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has arrived in South Africa with a 23-man squad for their upcoming Caf Champions League Group A encounter against Sundowns, with Percy Tau notably set for a “homecoming” along with Mosimane.
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Al Ahly will head into Saturday’s match in second place in the Group A standings, level on four points with third-placed Al-Merrikh, and three points behind leaders Sundowns.
Tshabalala, who is now a free agent, caught up with Mosimane at the Kaizer Chiefs Village and wished him well ahead of Saturday’s massive match.
“I want to welcome Al Ahly to South Africa and I hop you’re having a great stay,” he said on Friday, as quoted by iDiski Times.
“I came here to see my boy Percy Tau and coach Pitso Mosimane, just to wish them well for the big game tomorrow.
“I started following Al Ahly as soon as Pitso Mosimane signed for them and I’ve been following their games [since].
“He’s been doing a great job, he’s one of the best coaches in the world and it’s a great relationship cause Al Ahly is one of the best teams in the continent.
“It’s evident with the trophies he’s won since he joined the club. I’m wishing him, Percy Tau, Musi [Matlaba], KB [Kabelo Rangoaga] and the entire Al Ahly, all the best, more success and trophies.”
However, Tshabalala was hesitant to pick a winner.
“It’s a big one, I think I’ll be conflicted to give predictions. Sundowns is a good team, one of the best teams and tomorrow they’ll be representing South Africa as well,” he said.
“Al Ahly is one of the best teams as well, we’ve got our countrymen in the Al Ahly family. My wish is not only about tomorrow, it’s beyond tomorrow. I hope that both teams will qualify for the next round. Tomorrow I just want to watch a great game of football.
“But good luck to both the teams.”
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Al Ahly have been using the Amakhosi base in Naturena for their training, and you can see some of the pictures they have shared below:
Pitso Mosimane’s 23-man squad:
Mohamed El Shenawy, Ali Lotfy, Moustafa Shobier, Mohamed Hany, Karim Fouad, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ayman Ashraf, Ali Maaloul, Mahmoud Wahid, Amr El Soulia, Aliou Dieng, Hamdy Fathy, Mohamed Mahmoud, Ahmed Abdelkader, Mohamed Magdy, Hussien El Shahat, Taher Mohamed Taher, Luis Miquissone, Percy Tau, Mohamed Sherif, Hossam Hassan.
Kick-off at the FNB Stadium is scheduled for 15:00.
Al Ahly, the defending champions, will be seeking revenge when they go up against the South African champions after losing their first group stage match to Masandawana 1-0 last weekend.
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Mamelodi Sundowns currently lead the standings with seven points after three matches, while Al Ahly are in second place on four points. Only the top two sides in each of the four groups will progress to the quarter-finals.
Mosimane heads to South Africa after putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract at the Egyptian giants.
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