Pitso Mosimane Tests Positive for Covid19, Could Miss Al Ahly’s Opening Game at the FIFA Club World Cup

Pitso Mosimane Tests Positive for Covid19, Could Miss Al Ahly’s Opening Game at the FIFA Club World Cup

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM
  • Pitso Mosimane has tested positive for Covid19 after Al Ahly arrived in the United Arab Emirates earlier this week
  • Pitso is currently self-isolating after testing positive for Covid19 but doctors describe his condition as stable
  • Mosimane could miss Al Ahly's first game at the FIFA Club World Cup against Mexico's Monterrey on Saturday

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane could be set to miss his team’s opening game at the FIFA Club World Cup after he tested positive for Covid19.

Africa’s champions Al Ahly will take on North American champions Monterrey from Mexico in their opening game of the tournament on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Pitso Mosimane, Covid19, Al Ahly, FIFA Club World Cup, Football, Soccer, Mzansi
Pitso Mosimane tested positive for Covid19 after arriving in Dubai for the FIFA Club World Cup. Image: David Ramos
Source: Getty Images

In a statement released by Al Ahly, they confirmed that their coach had tested positive and was self-isolating, Goal.Com reported. The club’s doctor, Ahmed Abu Abla, described his condition as stable. At this stage, it is unclear whether Mosimane will be cleared to watch his team take on Monterrey from the bench.

Al Ahly arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier this week to start prepping for the tournament.

Fellow South African, Percy Tau, is also expected to miss out on the first game as he recovers from an injury.

Al Ahly goes into the encounter hoping to build on last year’s showing. During the 2020 edition of the tournament, the African giants finished third, IOL confirmed. They have yet to win the Club World Cup though.

The FIFA Club World Cup gets underway on Thursday, 3 February, with hosts Al Jazira taking on Oceania’s champions, Al Pirae. South Africa’s Thulani Serero currently plays for Al Jazira.

Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly gear up for FIFA Club World Cup, could face fellow South African Thulani Serero

In other news relating to Pitso Mosimane, Al Ahly will compete in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the tournament could see three South Africans reunite, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Pitso Mosimane and Percy Tau could face off against Thulani Serero who currently plays at Abu Dhabi side Al Jazira. Al Jazira will be hosting and representing Asia at the tournament which brings together the best club sides around the world, The Citizen reported.

The tournament brings together the winners of the Champions Leagues in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania and Europe and the host nation’s national champions who compete in a knock-out tournament.

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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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Pitso MosimaneSouth Africa