'Al Ahly appreciate their coaches more than Chiefs and Pirates'

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Former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane feels Al Ahly fans appreciate their coaches more than Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

The 60-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Iran earlier this year. Having spent three years at Al Ahly, Mosimane has been well celebrated in Egypt, where he won numerous trophies, including two CAF Champions League titles.

“I think I am more appreciated a little bit outside than in my country, but yes, I am loved in the country,” he told SuperSport TV.

Pitso Mosimane is one of the few coaches to have won the CAF Champions League more than once

“You see, every time I move around, people give me respect, and I am humbled. It is the game of football that has given me that chance, but in Egypt, it is another story, and that is [Al Ahly], the biggest club, one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Pitso has mentioned South African football culture, where supporters are not intrigued by local coaches upon meeting them. During his Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns days, Mosimane would walk into a mall, and be greeted by some fans while others would continue with their business of the day.

In Egypt, however, things are different according to Jingles.

“Look, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are big in the country, we all know that, but the coach of Orlando Pirates and Chiefs can pass [in town] and it is okay.

“In Egypt, if you coach Al Ahly, you don’t pass, they stop you and they treat you like God,” Mosimane concluded.

In recent weeks, Pitso Mosimane has been one of the coaches linked to Orlando Pirates following the departure of Jose Riveiro.