Pitso Mosimane has given his reasons for leaving Al Ahly. After a year and a half at the helm of the Cairo club, the South African tactician has decided to jump ship because of the intense pressure surrounding the team.
South African manager Pitso Mosimane has described his time at Al Ahly as a “wonderful story”. However, he slammed the door on the Egyptian giants against all odds. The reason? The pressure of work, which he endured for a season and a half. During his time in Cairo, Pitso Mosimane won back-to-back Champions League titles. One of which was a historic victory over rivals Zamalek.
The South African has also led Al Ahly to two CAF Super Cups, an Egyptian Cup and two bronze medals in the Club World Cup, so there was no room for error. Any counter-performance would raise the socios’ hackles.
“I have to say that my story with Al Ahly was wonderful and incredible. Bebo (Mahmoud El-Khatib), the club legend, asked me to come to Egypt to coach the team. And I asked him why he wanted me to accept the offer, and he confirmed that it was the best in the Middle East,” he explained to Al Arabiya television. “I refused to extend my contract with Al Ahly. Yet I was asked to do so. But because of the heavy workload and the pressure of working in Egypt, I couldn’t,” reveals Pitso Mosimane.
“Discrimination and differentiation exist everywhere in the world. And some may face racial discrimination. African coaches feel discriminated against. But we also believe that any coach can come to the Middle East and succeed,” points out Pitso Mosimane.
After his excellent work at the helm of Al Ahly, Mosimane was appointed coach of Al Ahli Jeddah (D2 Saudi Arabia) last September. He even managed to secure the club’s promotion to the Saudi Pro League (D1).
Under the spotlight, Al Ahly’s rivals Zamalek came calling to recruit him. However, Pitso Mosimane turned down the offer.
