Pressed to start getting results and move his new club Abha Club from the bottom of the Saudi Pro League, Pitso Mosimane’s side played a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
Mosimane recently joined Abha, with the sole mandate of saving the Abha-based outfit from the chop.
Mosimane’s debut encounter at Abha didn’t unfold as a dream. Facing a vastly superior Al-Taawoun, 20 points ahead in the league, his team relied on resilient defending to navigate a goalless first half. Although the visitors controlled possession and opportunities, Abha held firm.
The second half mirrored the first, with AFCON returnee Musa Barrow leading Al-Taawoun’s attacking charge. They relentlessly pressured Abha, but a fortuitous own goal in stoppage time almost gifted Mosimane a dramatic victory. However, Al-Taawoun snatched a late equalizer three minutes later through Aschraf El Mahdiou, leaving the final score unchanged and Abha with a hard-earned point.
After 20 games played in the 18-team league, Mosimane’s side is in 17th place, having only won four matches and drawn three. They lost 13 times and would have hoped for a win to start moving up the table when they faced fourth-placed Al Taawoun FC at home.
The match was played at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports Complex, home to Mosimane’s club.
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PITSO MOSIMANE HAS A MONUMENTAL TASK
Abha club continues to wallow without a win in the Saudi Pro League, their winless streak now stretching to nine games. Seven of those matches ended in defeat, leaving them precariously four points above the relegation zone. The former Al Ahly coachhas a monumental task ahead as he takes on the challenge of steering them clear of the drop during his short-term contract until the season’s end.
This marks Mosimane’s second foray into Saudi Arabian football, having previously led Al Ahli back into the top flight before departing just before their return. He will undoubtedly be hoping to replicate his past success and guide Abha to safety in this crucial period.