Analysing Pitso Mosimane’s Performance As Abha Coach After Ronaldo, Al Nassr Humbling

• Pitso Mosimane was handed a chastening defeat by Al-Nassr
• Jingles' tenure as Abha Club coach has been far from smooth
• Sports Brief assesses his performance in the Saudi Pro League

Pitso Mosimane endured a nightmare outing as a football manager, witnessing his side, Abha Club, suffer a devastating defeat at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

Facing the daunting task of steering his team out of the relegation battle, Jingles faced a formidable challenge against the Ronaldo-led Knights of Najd on Tuesday evening, and it turned into a one-sided affair.

Ronaldo's hat-trick, which included two stunning free kicks, led Al-Nassr to an emphatic 8-0 victory, leaving Mosimane's tactics in disarray and marking his heaviest defeat as a coach, according to FARPost.

The Portuguese maestro displayed an unstoppable performance at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, leaving the South African tactician to reflect on his strategy in the aftermath of the crushing loss.

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Following the humiliating defeat, Sports Brief evaluates the performance of the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach in the Saudi Pro League.

Pitso Mosimane's performance in Saudi League

Following a dismal run of eight winless matches, including seven defeats, Abha found themselves in dire straits in the Saudi top flight since November 4, 2023.

In a bid to turn their fortunes around, the Leaders of the South appointed Mosimane as head coach in January 2024.

Despite facing daunting challenges, the 59-year-old coach, known for his resilience, embraced the tough task. His debut game ended in frustration as Abha conceded a late goal, settling for a 1-1 draw against Al Taawoun.

10 days later, Mosimane and his team suffered another setback, squandering an early lead to lose 3-2 in a thrilling encounter against 10-man Al Feiha.

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However, Pitso's third game in charge brought much-needed relief as Abha secured their first win in four months, clinching a 2-0 victory against Al-Tai, thanks to a brace from former Sevilla midfielder, Grzegorz Krychowiak.

Their hopes of a winning streak were short-lived as they faced Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq, who ruthlessly dismantled them with three second-half goals, including one from former player, Karl Toko Ekambi.

Despite the humbling defeat, Jingles' side bounced back, securing a 1-0 home win against Al Wehda.

Against fellow relegation-threatened side, Al Riyadh, Abha took the lead through Guinean striker, Francois Kamano, only to concede late once again, settling for a draw on Saturday, March 30.

Their next top flight encounter proved to be a chastening experience, as Al-Nassr handed them their worst defeat of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick, a brace from substitute Abdulaziz Al Elewai, and solitary strikes from Sadio Mane, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, and Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem sealed Abha's fate with an 8-0 thrashing.

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Pitso Mosimane's statistics at Abha so far

While Al-Nassr's victory may have dashed his ambitions of lifting Abha out of the relegation zone, his statistics don't paint an entirely bleak picture, given the state of the club when he took charge.

Mosimane has secured two wins, drawn twice, and suffered three defeats in seven matches. Offensively, his team has managed to score an average of one goal per game, totalling seven goals thus far.

However, their defence has been a significant weakness, conceding a total of 16 goals, with eight of those coming from Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

The 69-year-old also boasts an impressive home record, securing two wins, a draw, and suffering only one loss in his four home games.

Yet, his team has faced challenges on the road, losing twice and drawing on one occasion in three away fixtures in the Saudi Pro League.

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What's next for Mosimane?

Mosimane and his team face even deeper trouble following their latest defeat but will hope for better fortunes when his side hosts Al Fateh on Sunday, April 7, as noted by Sofascore.

Additionally, with his contract expiring at the end of June, it could mark the end of his tenure at the club if he doesn't rescue them from relegation.

The upcoming months will be pivotal for Mosimane's reputation as he aims to make a lasting impact with Abha Club in Saudi Arabia.

Fans mock Mosimane after Al-Nassr loss

Sports Brief also reported that Mosimane faced online ridicule after Abha's crushing defeat against Al-Nassr on Tuesday evening.

Social media users seized the opportunity during and after the game, with some speculating about his potential ousting as coach.