Pitso Mosimane: Abha Club Boss Faces Setback in Relegation Fight, to Face Cristiano Ronaldo Next

• Pitso Mosimane's Abha Club drew with Al Riyadh in the Saudi League
• The club have only 9 games remaining to secure their top-flight status
• His focus is reportedly shifting towards managing a national team next

Pitso Mosimane's Abha Football Club faced a massive setback in their Saudi Pro League hopes for survival after being held to a 1-1 draw by fellow strugglers Al Riyadh.

Abha, coming off the back of a vital win before the international break, failed to secure maximum points against Riyadh despite taking the lead in the first half through a goal from Francois Kamano.

Despite dominating possession for much of the game, the two teams' shots on target were tied at halftime.

However, the hosts managed to find the equalizer in the 70th minute through Saleh Al Abbas, leaving Mosimane's side still unable to find a winning rhythm.

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With this draw, 150th-placed Riyadh maintained a three-point advantage over Abha in the league, sitting in 14th place with 25 points from 25 games. Abha remains 17th with 22 points.

Mosimane, in his tenure with Abha, has amassed eight points from six matches but faces a race against time with just nine games remaining to secure their top-flight status, as reported by iDiski Times.

His side will next face Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr on Tuesday, April 2.

Where will Mosimane coach next?

According to his agent, Moira Tlhagale, the former Al Ahly manager's focus seems to be shifting away from club coaching opportunities towards a potential role with a national team.

She stressed the importance of involving Mosimane's technical team and adopting a collaborative approach to player recruitment in their next venture.

Per Az Score, the former Mamelodi Sundowns boss has reportedly emerged as a candidate for the head coach position of the Nigerian national team following Jose Peseiro's resignation after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final defeat to Ivory Coast.

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How Mosimane got 4-month contract

Sports Brief reported that the agent representing Pitso Mosimane, Moira Tlhagale, shed light on the decision-making process behind the manager's four-month deal with Abha.

Tlhagale elaborated on the former Al Ahli coach's stance regarding managerial autonomy, citing his reluctance to be micromanaged.

She spoke into the negotiation process, saying the Saudi side initially offered an 18-month contract.