Pitso Mosimane and his backroom staff pose with the South African flag after guiding Al-Ahli to the Saudi Pro League. Photo: Al Ahli Saudi
SPORT
In a move that no one saw coming or expected, Pitso Mosimane has reportedly resigned as the head coach of Al-Ahli Saudi FC.
This news comes just two weeks after he led the club to promotion back to the Saudi Pro League.
Instead of celebrating his feat, the headlines have been about Mosimane’s uncertain future.
According to SABC Sport, Mosimane and his backroom staff ended their contract after they grew increasingly frustrated over unpaid salaries and bonuses that date back from January.
READ: The 12th man | Let’s pause and celebrate Pitso as one of the world’s best
While the Saudi club and Mosimane are yet to officially confirm the separation, City Press looks at possible destinations that could be the best fit for the Kagiso-born former Bafana Bafana coach.
Return to the PSL
The silence from both parties has led to furious speculation in the local media linking Mosimane with another sleeping giant, Kaizer Chiefs.
For several years, Mosimane has established a group of backroom staff that follow him wherever he goes, and it won’t be any different this time as he ponders his next stop.
Whether Amakhosi can agree to Mosimane bringing along his preferred backroom staff – his three musketeers’ performance analysts, Musi Matlaba and Kyle Solomon, as well as fitness trainer Kabelo “KB” Rangoaga – remain to be seen.
READ: Al-Ahli must pay up and honour Pitso’s contract, says Mosimane’s agent
Meanwhile, according to SABC Sport, Chiefs are in talks with Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi, who won six trophies (double treble) in his two years with Tanzanian giants Yanga (Young Africans).
Nabi’s contract apparently runs out at the end of July. According to FarPost, Yanga have confirmed that they are about to start talks for a new contract with their coach.
Incumbent Arthur Zwane still has two more years left on the contract he signed just over a year ago, but a disappointing 2022/23 season in which the club lost 13 matches and finished fifth has put doubt on his future.
As Daniel Mothowagae advised Mosimane in his 12th Man column in City Press on Sunday, returning to the PSL at this stage would make Mosimane more like a big fish in a small pond.
Return to North Africa
It is a well-known fact that Mosimane desires to coach in North Africa, where he can have another go at a third CAF Champions League title.
He can fit well at any of these giants: Zamalek (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia) and Wydad Athletic (Morocco) among several other Champions League contenders.
However, Mosimane seems to have a soft spot for Morocco, which has been reciprocated in the football-mad nation.
The affection Wydad showed him whenever he visited Casablanca with his former team, Mamelodi Sundowns, is well documented. Mosimane also attained his CAF Pro Licence in Morocco and speaks glowingly about his admiration for how the country develops its football from top to bottom.
READ: Pitso Mosimane flirts with Morocco move and defuses Kaizer Chiefs rumour
Remain in Saudi Arabia
What attracted Mosimane to the riches of Saudi football is his two CAF Champions League winners’ medals (out of three final appearances with Al Ahly of Egypt) and two Fifa Club World Cup bronze (also with Al Ahly).
After basically starting from scratch on his way to promoting a Saudi team to a premier league, a move to another Saudi team is a possibility.
If he stays, he might get to rub shoulders with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January from Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or holder, and another ex-team-mate of theirs Luka Modric are on the verge of signing for Saudi clubs.
N’Golo Kante is also reportedly finalising his move to Al Ittihad.