Johannesburg – South Africa’s most decorated football coach Pitso Mosimane on Thursday bid farewell to the players and fans of Al Ahli FC, the Saudi Arabi side he successfully returned to the Professional League.
Al Ahli FC Saudi – who have won three Saudi Pro League championships, in 1977-78, 1983-84 and as recently as 2015-16 – were relegated as second-last-placed finishers last season.
The club was way down in 8th place in the 1st Division League when Mosimane joined in September last year.
In his farewell letter, Mosimane wrote: “As we end our relationship with Al Ahli FC Saudi and look forward to new opportunities, I would like to express my utmost satisfaction for having achieved the difficult task of promoting the team back to the Saudi Pro League”.
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Mosimane had agreed a two year deal, but once the club was promoted the owners began talking of a “greater ambition”.
The former coach of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana said: “Within eight months, we not only secured promotion but also claimed the championship title in the 1st Division League”.
He added: “We would have never achieved this feat without the players who continuously played their hearts out, the technical team, and the staff that supported me…
“Finally thank you for the undying support from the Al Ali supporters, your presence in the stands at home and away games was the best motivator.”
Mosimane, who has reportedly not been paid since January, wished Al Ahli FC Saudi “continued success”, but he did not disclose where he was headed next.
