Mosimane reveals mandate of 'big, challenging task' received from Al-Ahli Saudi ownership

Pitso Mosimane has revealed he received a clear mandate from the Al-Ahli Saudi ownership regarding their expectations.

The 58-year-old recently surprised the South African football public by joining Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, three months after resigning as mentor from Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

At Al-Ahli, Mosimane will be joined by his coaching staff - Kabelo Rangoaga (fitness manager), Musi Matlaba (performance analysis manager) and Kyle Solomon (performance analyst) - and they are scheduled to depart for Jeddah in the coming days.

While addressing reporters in Sandton on Thursday, Mosimane said he signed a two-deal year with the Saudi outfit. He was seated alongside his coaching staff and wife, Moira Tlhagale, who is the MT Sports managing director.

"MT Sports received numerous offers from clubs and national teams from around the world for our services. We decided to take a project that is interesting and very challenging. A project that will see us turn a football team into champions," said Mosimane.

"We have a mandate of two years of turning this team around. And we've been tasked [by] this big club to take them back to the Pro League, which is the the Premier League in Saudi. That's our mandate in the first year of course.

"It is a big and challenging task for us to be honest but we are ready and we are excited to be going to Saudi Arabia.

"We need to be aware that Al-Ahli is amongst the top four teams in the kingdom of Saudi. It is a big club. It has a long history of winning titles. It has a track record to be able to achieve the best results and awake the sleeping giant. 

"Changing the game for good is my personal motto, and [it] will carry me to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia."