By Monwabisi Jimlongo
As a student of the beautiful game, Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane continues to excel as he achieves feat after feat.
Mosimane made history when he won his third CAF Champions League trophy after he led the Red Devils to a 3-0 humiliation of Kaizer Chiefs at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, Morocco, on Saturday evening.
Not only did Mosimane won his third CAF Champions League trophy, he also became the second Al Ahly coach to win back-to-back trophies. Portuguese coach Manuel Jose delivered the CAF Champions League trophy to the Red Devils in 2005 and 2006.
“Of course, we feel good. We made a promise that we will deliver the 10th cup and we have delivered the 10th cup,” Mosimane remarked.
“I must say congratulations to the boys. The players have done very well. The fans have supported us. All the staff, even the guy who cuts the grass, who cleans our clothes. The guy who makes tea and coffee. Everybody is important, the management, the marketing team. Of course, the big boss captain Bibo (Mahmoud Al-Khatib) for the support he gave me and trust and belief in me. My technical team, who help and support me a lot. I must not forget my family. My family is very important, my wife, they have supported me.”
The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor admitted, though, that the journey to continental glory was not easy for Africa’s Team of the Century.
“There have been a lot of difficult moments in this cup. There have been also difficult moments in terms of the places we played at,” he said.
“We didn’t play at good pitches. We went to Merreikh, we didn’t have a training ground. We went to Simba, we didn’t have a training pitch. The tournament needs to be taken like the European Champions League.”
One would think a coach, who has won four trophies since he joined the Red Devils in October last year would be content with what he has achieved so far, not so with Mosimane.
The 56-year-old coach, a winner of 17 trophies with the three clubs – SuperSport United, Sundowns and Al Ahly – he has coached is thirsty for more glory.
“We have not arrived where I want the team to come to. There is a lot of improvement that needs to be done. We have to strengthen the team to make it stronger,” Mosimane said.
With the CAF Champions League trophy having been won, Mosimane is now going to push for Egyptian Premier League glory.
With four games in hand, the 10-time CAF Champions League winners are second on the table and are 10 points behind log-leaders Zamalek, who have collected 61 points in 27 matches.
Their next three matches, which are going to be played in a space of seven days, are against struggling sides. They face 15th-placed National Bank of Egypt on Thursday, 22 July. Three days later, they clash with El Entag El Hardy, who are stone last on the 18-team table.
Four days after meeting El Entag El Hardy, the Red Devils face 16th-placed Aswan FC.
“I’m worried, I’m losing six players who will go to the Olympics. It’s my biggest challenge, I can’t make excuses,” he said.
