Shock all round as Pitso Mosimane lands unexpected new gig in Saudi Arabia

Pitso Mosimane surprised the broader soccer community after being confirmed as the new head coach of Al Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia.

The popular and well-respected former Bafana Bafana and Sundowns mentor had been on a three-month hiatus following his departure from Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Mosimane was hugely successful during his 21-month tenure in Egypt, claiming consecutive CAF Champions League titles as well as well as four cup wins.

But a mediocre finish to last season's Egyptian Premier League campaign put him under inexorable pressure and he eventually stepped down.

The 58-year-old moves to the Middle East facing a distinctly different challenge.

Welcome, Coach! ????Pitso Mosimane is the new manager of our first football team#AHLIFC pic.twitter.com/nMtuR4XJ92

Al Ahli were relegated from the top-flight Saudi Pro League for the first time in their history last season, finishing with a pitiful 32 log points from 15 matches.

They've found the going immensely tough in the second division as well, boasting a mere 8 points from 7 starts.

Mosimane, evidently, wants to showcase his ability to lead a project where a club needs to fundamentally re-build.

He was recently "honoured" by SAFA for receiving his CAF Pro Licence, which was officially handed to him by federation president Danny Jordaan.