Pitso Mosimane has disclosed how coaching Egyptian giants Al Ahly saw him become an international coach that was now attracting interest from around the world.
Mosimane worked at Al Ahly for two years, winning two CAF Champions League crowns, as well as two bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach says his spell in Egypt earned him admiration as he was able to showcase his tactical acumen on a global scale and it is why he was able to get jobs in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iran.
Pitso credits Al Ahly for opening doors in the Gulf
“The pinnacle is Al Ahly because we won the Champions League many times and consecutively won the bronze medal in the Club World Cup, being the third best club in the world three times playing against Bayern and it is not 4-0,” Mosimane told SuperSport TV.
“Wth [Robert] Lewandowski on the pitch, Manuel [Neuer] as the goalkeeper and coming neck and neck with them and for me, to beat Al Ahli of Saudi, the biggest club in Asia, we beat them 4-0 and that is why I went to Saudi because they have seen me beating the biggest club in Asia and we beat Palmeiras, the biggest club in South America and we beat the Mexicans so that is the level.”
Mosimane would coach Al Ahli of Saudi, leading them back to the top flight in the first season, before spells with Al Wahda and Abha after which he joined Iranian club Esteghlal FC.
What are Mosimane’s best moments as coach?
The veteran coach says he was able to brush shoulders with some of the best coaches in the world thanks to his good work with the Cairo Red Devils.
“You enter all these countries and they come to you oh coach, how are you? Because you have beaten the team that represents the continent of South America, North and Central America to play with the team that beat all teams in Europe which is Bayern Munich at the time,” he added.
“To have Thomas Tuchel coming to talk to you, coach of Barca Hansi Flick we talk, we communicate, we talk with Pep [Guardiola] through the current president of Barcelona so those are the things that humble you.
“Arsene Wenger sitting with you over breakfast discussing football, with you then you get humbled, I mean how big can it be?”
