Here’s the touching message Cyril Ramaphosa sent to Pitso Mosimane

Our advice for Mamelodi Sundowns fans at this point? Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Pitso Mosimane is leaving his role as coach at the club after a memorable eight years in charge of the Tshwane-based outfit, to take on one of the biggest jobs on the continent with Al-Ahly in Egypt – and he’s earned the approval of Cyril Ramaphosa.

Pitso Mosimane receives praise from the president

Pitso Mosimane, former coach of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, took up his position this week with Africa’s most successful football club – which has a long history of coaches from other continents.

Mosimane joins Al Ahly with three former Sundowns personnel as part of his technical team – namely assistant Rhulani Mokwena, fitness coach Kabelo Rangoaga and performance analyst Musi Matlaba.

The hard work starts now for Jingles, but he does leave South Africa with the praise of a president to rely upon. Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to Pitso Mosimane, posting an encouraging message for the manager on Saturday morning.

Cyril Ramaphosa hails departing Sundowns coach

The president describes Pitso as a ‘force in South African football’, but hailed the diplomatic benefits of his new move. Ramaphosa told Mosimane to ‘fly the flag’ and praised the coach for his talent and capability.

“Pitso Mosimane will be missed as a force in South African football but his appointment by our continent’s flagship club strengthens the bonds of friendship between our two countries.”

“It is also a recognition of the talent and capability that resides within our own continent. I wish Pitso and his team well as they fly our flag and the flag of continental football with a club in whose success all Africans take pride.”

Cyril Ramaphosa’s message to Pitso Mosimane on Saturday

• You can read the full statement here: