Al-Ahli Saudi gets off to a great start

Pitso Mosimane lead his Al-Ahli Saudi club to a 2-0 away victory against Al-Riyadh on Sunday.

Al Malaki, whose rebuilding Mosimane has been tasked with doing after they were relegated from the Saudi Pro League last season, earned their second straight victory as a result.

With the victory, Mosimane’s team moved up to third place in the Saudi second division and extended their six-game winning streak.

After being demoted from the top division last season, the 85-year-old Al-Ahli Saudi, who have a distinguished past in Saudi Arabia, are now considered a fallen giant of Saudi football.

Up until the end of the previous campaign, they competed in the AFC Champions League, the top club competition in Asia, and finished second in the competition in 2011.

Mosimane, who left Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly earlier this year, was unexpectedly hired by Al Ahly Saudi last month given that they compete in Saudi Arabia’s second division and because he is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Africa having won the Premiership five times and the Caf Champions League three times.

The English striker Lewis Grabban is a prominent member of Mosimane’s team. In his native England, the 34-year-old has represented a number of teams, including Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Norwich City, Sunderland, Aston Villa, and most recently Nottingham Forest. Following Forest’s this year’s promotion to the Premier League, he left.

It should be noted that Al-Ahli Saudi are not known for keeping coaches for a long time, much like Mosimane’s former club, Al Ahly. Since 2020, the 58-year-old has served as their sixth full-time coach.

Mosimane’s team will now undoubtedly be among the favorites to win the Saudi second division this year. It will be interesting to see if any SA players are signed for the team next season if they decide to do that.