Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has opened up on his relationship with Mamelodi Sundowns, nearly two years after leaving the club.
In his eight years at the club, Mosimane experienced the highest of highs with Sundowns, winning trophies and dominating the local scene, while leaving a lasting footprint on the African continent to be considered among Africa’s biggest clubs.
On the contrary, the 57-year-old has also seen a side to his relationship with the club that is best forgotten.
Mosimane has often referred to ‘love letters’ which he has received from the club, in reference to the signing on fee demanded by the club that was understood to be paid to the coach when he signed his new contract, prior to joining Al Ahly in 2020.
There has also been the run-ins with the club’s passionate fans.
Mosimane has faced Sundowns as a rival on four occasions in the CAF Champions League. On both of his visits to South Africa, he was subjected to abuse from a faction of the club’s supporters, many of who were singing his praises when he was still coaching the Brazilians.
Now, during a brief visit to the country, Mosimane opened up on the state of his relationship with the club.
“You got to understand how many years I have with Sundowns coaching and playing, so I am Sundowns,” Mosimane told journalists at the BMW Midrand branch.
“So, what is happening with the family of Dr Patrice Motsepe and myself. It’s a personal relationship and that doesn’t take away from the fact that I am Sundowns. I’m Sundowns, and by the way I coached, and I played for Sundowns, so I have so much in that space than who is the owner of Sundowns now.
“I told you about five owners so I’m Sundowns, I have a relationship with Sundowns, my family is Sundowns. I have people and players that I have a relationship with at Sundowns. There is so much history that has happened there, so whatever personal relationship is between me, and you know, it’s not a secret.
“You know me, I stand my ground. I have an opinion. I respect but I don’t want anybody to dim my light. If you dim my light, I come out. So that’s me. Mamelodi Sundowns gave me an opportunity to win the Champions League. I would never be at Al Ahly if I was not at Sundowns and I would never win the Champions League if I didn’t have the resources of Mamelodi Sundowns to buy players, like [Hristo] Stoichkov and all those others who have spent so much more money than me. So this thing has been there,” he added.
View the gallery to see images of players who have been released by DStv Premiership clubs:
