[ad_1]
Just four months into his tenure at Chloorkop, the former Bafana Bafana coach was under immense pressure and was apparently on the verge of leaving.
On Friday night, former Mamelodi Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane added to their already legendary status by guiding Al Ahly to the ninth Caf Champions League crown with a 2-1 win over Zamalek. from Cairo.
It was their first victory in the tournament since 2013 when they beat the Orlando Pirates. Since then, Al Ahly have lost two finals, against Esperance Tunis and Wydad Casablanca, which meant Mosimane was under pressure to ensure the club did not lose a third consecutive final.
In an exciting match, the Red Devils recovered thanks to a goal from Mohamed Kafsha in the 86th minute; Such are the fine lines between glory and despair.
It was Mosimane’s second win in the competition after leading Sundowns to the title in 2016. He also became the third manager to win it with two different clubs, and only Portugal’s Manuel José has more titles, four, all won. with Al Ahly.
Goal 50 Revealed – World’s Top 50 Players
With five league championships and seven major cups, including the 2017 Caf Super Cup, also to his name, Mosimane is already a living legend and is sure to go down as one of the greatest in Africa in the history books.
But everything could have turned out very differently; such are the narrow margins at the top.
That’s if you remember the final weeks of the 2012/13 season, just a few months after Mosimane took over as the Sundowns head coach on December 2, 2012.
He had come after Dutchman Johann Neeskens, who had brought Downs to fourth place the previous season.
The results did not go well for Mosimane, who had last served as the Bafana Bafana’s head coach, with limited success, and his stint as head of the national team will sadly always be remembered for celebrating a draw against Sierra Leone. at the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, when a victory was really required.
Before that, he had had reasonable success with SuperSport United, but hadn’t done anything amazing. By the time he came to Chloorkop, his two main achievements had occurred more than seven years earlier: the SAA Supa 8 in 2004 and the Nedbank Cup in 2005.
So it’s safe to say that in April 2013, with the Brazilians in miserable shape, their star wasn’t shining brightly.
The fans were crying for his blood and it got so bad that the police had to escort him out of Pilditch Stadium after a league loss to Bloemfontein Celtic.
This turned out to be Mosimane’s turning point. Like former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was said to be inches from losing his job after a trophy-free first few years at Old Trafford.
Ferguson’s bosses decided he was worth having faith in. And the same thing happened with Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe.
His words of seven years ago have been prophetic.
“We need to review, reevaluate. It happens to the good teams and the great teams of the world, “Motsepe was quoted as saying. MESS, while discussing the crisis talks he had had with Mosimane.
“You go through periods of difficulty. I remain confident that Sundowns will do well for years to come. “
Sundowns only managed to finish a humble 10th that season, unthinkable for a club of its history, ambition and wealth.
However, faith in Mosimane was still maintained.
And after winning the league title next season, he hasn’t looked back, which is an understatement if there ever was one.
Perhaps one day I will return to Bafana’s position and complete some unfinished business.
