South African coaching giant Pitso Mosimane sent shockwaves through the entire continent after announcing his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns after a highly successful eight year stay at the club.
Mosimane is tipped to takeover the hot-seat at African giants Al Ahly following the departure of Rene Weiler. Mosimane’s pending move to the ‘African club of the century’ may very well open up opportunities for some of his former stars to link up with him up North.
Mamelodi Sundowns could be dealt with a number of blows should Pitso Mosimane come knocking for some of his former stars while Kaizer Chiefs are not safe as well. The defending PSL champions are undoubtedly one of Africa’s wealthiest teams however, the financial muscle that Al Ahly posses when it comes to transfers is unparalleled on the continent.
Pitso Mosimane to be handed the Al Ahly chequebook?
Al Ahly spent over R110 million in transfers during the 2019/20 campaign on just five players with the hope of winning the CAF Champions League. The club made a massive statement by signing Senegalese striker Aliou Badji, Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, Egyptian midfielder Afsha and Egyptian defender Mahmoud Metwaly while Ramadan Sobhi joined the club on a loan deal.
Much like Rene Weiler, Pitso Mosimane is set to be given the necessary funds to rope in the players of his choice and a number of his former players are likely to sit at the top of his wishlist.
Pitso Mosimane’s wishlist: Who’s likely to make it
Thapelo Morena
Utility wing-back Thapelo Morena has shown incredible improvement under Mosimane since joining him from Bloemfontein Celtic. He’s pacey, he’s tricky and he can play in numerous positions, the only question mark around his quality is his final product however none can argue that he’s constantly improving.
Despite being hampered by a serious ankle injury, the lengthy COVID-19 suspension in the PSL allowed for Morena to undergo a thorough recovery and Mosimane will undoubtedly have him on his radar in the North.
Gaston Sirino
Uruguayan attacking midfielder Gaston Sirino has already been on Al Ahly’s radar in the past and Jingles may now prove to be the very bargaining chip the Egyptian club needed to lure the talented playmaker.
Khama Billiat
Kaizer Chiefs attacker Khama Billiat enjoyed his most successful spell under Pitso Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns. The Zimbabwean has the continental pedigree that Mosimane and Al Ahly demands.
Billiat’s underwhelming season at Kaizer Chiefs may prompt the former CAF Champions League winner to explore a new challenge and who better to do so with than his former mentor?
Samir Nurkovic
Kaizer Chiefs will be desperate to hold onto their star attacker however, should Mosimane really push hard to get the man that caused him sleepless nights for much of the 2019/20 campaign then the Amakhosi won’t be able to pass up on a mega-money deal.
Nurkovic is Mosimane’s dream striker. Pitso has been searching high and low for a strong yet mobile target man for continental football and after viewing the Serbian’s abilities last season, it won’t be a surprise should Jingles come knocking for Nurkovic.
Motjeka Madisha and Andile Jali may also tempt Pitso Mosimane into bringing them abroad given their continental pedigree as well while Cape Town City striker Kermit Erasmus could also very well make sense for Pitso to rope in.
Pitso Mosimane is set to be named as the Al Ahly head coach before the end of the week. His earnings are set to jump to over R3 million per a month according to reports from Egypt.
Transfer figures via Transfermarkt.
