Pitso Mosimane, the renowned South African coach, secured his first victory with Esteghlal FC on Saturday, leading the team to a 1-0 triumph over Mes Rafsanjan FC in the Iran Pro League at the Shahre Qods Stadium.
Mosimane, who recently penned a deal to manage Esteghlal until the end of the season with his technical team, had faced a challenging start, with his first three matches resulting in losses.
His tenure began with a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Kheybar FC, followed by a 2-0 setback against Tractor FC. The situation worsened with a heavy 3-0 loss to Al-Hilal, a team featuring the star player Neymar Jr., in the AFL Champions League.
However, the tide turned for the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach – Mosimane, on this occasion, thanks in part to 18-year-old debutant Abolfazl Zamani, who scored the decisive goal just ten minutes into the Mes Rafsanjan FC match. His early strike set the tone, and Esteghlal managed to maintain their lead for the remainder of the game, securing a much-needed victory.
The win not only marks a significant milestone for Mosimane but also revitalizes Esteghlal’s campaign in the league.
PITSO MOSIMANE RECORDS HIS FIRST VICTORY AS ESTEGHLAL FC COACH
The victory marked the first three points for Mosimane as the coach of Esteghlal, putting an end to a three-match losing streak.
This win has propelled Esteghlal up the league standings, where they now sit 10th after 10 matches, accumulating a total of 11 points.
The team has faced challenges defensively, having conceded eight goals in their last three outings, while their attacking efforts have also been lacking, only managing to score once.
With the FIFA international break on the horizon, this period will provide Mosimane with the opportunity to better integrate and prepare his squad. Esteghlal will resume their campaign on Thursday, November 21.
Looking ahead, Esteghlal’s next focus will be on the Hazfi Cup, where they will host Mes Kerman at their home ground.
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