SOUTH African head coach Pitso Mosimane has been appointed as Al Ahly manager following the departure of René Weiler.
Weiler has left his role at Al Ahly following the Reds’ game against El-Tersana in the Egypt Cup, ending his one-year stint in Cairo.
The Swiss man opted against extending his contract due to personal reasons which made Al Ahly’s board make a quick decision in appointing Pitso Mosimane.
56-year-old Mosimane is considered one of the most reputable head coaches in Africa as he led Mamelodi Sundowns to 10 trophies during eight years in charge of the club.
He most famously guided them to the 2016 CAF Champions League, when they beat Al Ahly’s rivals Zamalek in the final, as well as the CAF Super Cup.
Five South African league titles, two South African Cups, and a Nedbank cup are also among the trophies he lifted with Sundowns.
Despite signing a new four-year contract extension with the South African giants he decided to step down from his position to take his first job outside of his home country.
“It is with a sense of pain and sadness that I announce my departure from Mamelodi Sundowns,” Mosimane said in a statement. “I have accepted an offer to join an international team.
“I am taking up this new challenge that will push me out of my comfort zone. I know Mamelodi Sundowns will use this as a fresh and new perspective.”
According to many reports, Al Ahly club president Mahmoud El-Khatib is said to be a huge fan of the 56-year-old and has asked him to join them immediately to lead them to CAF Champions League triumph.
Mosimane put pen-to-paper on a two-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2022, and will become the first foreign coach from Africa to take charge of Al Ahly.
The South African coach will arrive with three staff members, namely coach Rhulani Mokwena, fitness trainer Kabelo Rangoaga and performance analyst Musi Matlaba.
The Reds will face Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League as they eye their ninth title in their history.
It’s worth mentioning that Pitso’s Sundowns were knocked out of this year’s CAF Champions League as they suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Rene Weiler’s Al Ahly in the quarter-finals.
(SOURCE: KINGFUT)
