Mosimane exits Al-Ahly, but fans should praise his time with the Egyptians giants

After weeks of speculation, it was finally over. Pitso Mosimane and Al-Ahly parted ways on Monday, just three months after the coach signed a two-year contract extension at the club.

It did not come as a major surprise, however, and it brings an end to what was a rollercoaster relationship. He had only been in charge of the Egyptian titans since September 2020 but it seemed longer because there was plenty packed into those 21 months. The South African can leave with his head held high while the Red Giants move onto a new era.

But just like his time at the club, his legacy will be hotly debated though, it should be secure as he flew the flag for African coaches at the continent’s biggest club.

Al-Ahly announced that they had wanted the coach to stay but it was Mosimane’s decision to exit. “Mosimane requested to leave and that he is satisfied with the achievements he managed to accomplish with the club,” the club said in a statement. “It was decided to approve his request to part ways with the club and to thank him for the achievements that he accomplished.”

Those achievements are impressive. The man known as “Jingles” delivered back-to-back CAF Champions League titles, winning in 2020 and then again in 2021. He also took the team to the final last month where Wydad AC ran out 2-0 winners, though the Moroccans did have home advantage and 50,000 screaming fans behind them.

He led the team to successive third-place finishes at the 2020 and 2021 FIFA Club World Cup. Mosimane’s major regret will surely be missing out on the 2021 league title. Al-Ahly were going well, but as they were busy with continental and then global commitments, rivals Zamalek pulled clear at the summit. While the Reds almost clawed the deficit