Pitso Mosimane: How Fixtures May Favour Abha Club as Minnows Fight for Saudi Pro League Survival

• Pitso Mosimane led Abha Club to a crucial victory against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League
• The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was tasked with rescuing the club from relegation
• With a strategic home advantage and crucial matches ahead, every game will be decisive

In the Saudi Pro League, Pitso Mosimane's tactical prowess again shone brightly after Abha Club clinched a crucial victory against Al Fateh on April 7.

The triumph marked a pivotal moment for the South African coach, steering his team away from the shadows of a crushing 8-0 defeat against Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, just a week prior.

Despite the perceived momentary relief, Mosimane's journey to rescue Abha from top flight relegation is far from over.

As reported by Independent Online, the 57-year-old took the helm in January on a short-term contract. Following his departure from Al Wahda in November last year, he faces the daunting task of preventing the team's descent into lower leagues.

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The return to Saudi Arabia marked a familiar territory for him. He had previously worked at Al-Ahli Saudi and led them from the second-tier league to the prestigious top flight league before parting ways, as reported by Goal.

The parallels between his previous and current roles are striking, stressing the importance of each fixture in Abha's fight for survival.

The recent victory propelled the team to 15th in the league table, moving them off the danger zone for the first time since he took over.

What games come next for Mosimane's Abha?

With only seven games left and a single point separating Abha Club from the relegation-threatened teams, every match is decisive.

They travel to the Al Shabab FC Stadium to face 11th-placed Al Shabab on Thursday, April 18, before taking on fellow strugglers, Al Akhdoud, at the Prince Hathloul Sports City on April 27.

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Fortunately, Abha hold a strategic advantage with more home games than their rivals and will be relying on their local fans to get them across the line.

Four of their five games left for May will be played at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, including a visit by Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad on May 3. Six days later, they will play a crucial match against Damac before hosting 10th-placed Al Khaleej on May 23.

Away from home, Abha Club will have to secure much-needed points against star-studded Al-Ahli Saudi on May 16, and Al Hazm - in their final league game - on May 27.

Mosimane responds to criticism of tactics

Sports Brief also reported on Mosimane firing back at a journalist who questioned his defensive strategies.

Abha Club rose out of the SPL relegation zone after securing a crucial victory against Slaven Bilic's Al Fateh.

The match hero was former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Grzegorz Krychowiak, who scored a neat brace.