Pitso Mosimane's Esteghlal FC have been tipped to challenge for the Asian Gulf Pro League this season.
The celebrated South African was confirmed as the Blue Boys coach on October 18 after a poor start that saw the team drop to the 11th position in the Iranian top tier. After a tough start, ‘Jingles' is seemingly getting it right now.
Esteghlal FC are now unbeaten in their last four games, and have accumulated 14 points, 11 less than leaders Tractor. Former club player Edmond Akhtar believes the 60-year-old has what it takes to help the team win the crown in the 2024-25 campaign.
Despite the seemingly unfavourable 11th position on paper, Akhtar insists the former Al Ahly tactician can fire the team to the top since there has been a massive improvement in recent weeks across all competitions.
Esteghlal are always a contender
“Esteghlal’s growing trend has been evident during this time and was clearly evident in last night’s game against Foolad,” he told Football360.
“This team’s conditions have changed completely compared to before the Asian Games, and that training camp with Mosimane’s team has made the team progress. Mosimane may not be a big name in the world, but he has shown that he is a head coach and that he both spends time with his team and has a lot of plans to work with the youth.
“We may have lost the championship on paper, but Esteghlal is always a contender, and now the team has found its true identity. Esteghlal can continue its growing trend again, and even considering the number of games left, it is not at all unlikely that Esteghlal will enter the championship race,” Akhtar continued.
“The team has clearly been worked on and has made great progress in technical, physical, and tactical matters. I am not talking about the past, and the team was sick in the past and the fans’ expectations were not met.
“What always happens in football is changes and ups and downs, but the important thing is that Esteghlal has progressed and the team is close to success.”
On Thursday, Esteghlal play Mes Kerman in the Hazfi Cup.
