For the record, Jingles should stay in Africa
WHAT next for Pitso Mosimane now that he has established himself as Africa’s most successful Caf Champions League coach with that third title he won at the weekend?
A move to one of the leagues in Europe would be logical, some have suggested.
That could well make sense. Imagine “Jingles” testing himself against the likes of Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel, Jose Mourinho, Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino.
No doubt he aspires to be in that space.
A job in one of Europe’s top leagues could well be on his radar, such is Mosimane’s ambitious nature.
For now though, there’s the small matter of adding four more continental titles to his name for Mosimane to take top spot in Africa.
In leading Al Ahly to that victory on Saturday, the 56-year-old coach got one trophy closer to equalling the record of Manuel Jose’s four Champions League victories.
Mosimane is on five now, joint with Tunisia’s Faouzi Benzarti, having won the Caf Super Cup twice.
It is no coincidence that Mosimane is doing as well as he is on the continent.
Such lofty standing in Africa has always been Mosimane’s dream, goal and objective.
Like a body-builder who spends countless hours lifting weights, feeding on copious amounts of proteins and ensuring he gets good rest – Mosimane has painstakingly pursued the goal of being a top coach in Africa.
This was back when Mosimane was still at SuperSport United, yet to win a title and seen by most as just a former player making a living out of essentially the only thing he knows – football.
While his tenure as Bafana Bafana coach did not yield much success and actually saw Mosimane sacked following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, being fired essentially set him on fire.
For it was all glory thereafter, Mosimane joining a Mamelodi Sundowns outfit in the throes of relegation and then turning them into thee dominant force on the South African front.
Sure, Europe could well be the way to go. First prize though would be for Mosimane to set a continental record that could possibly outlive him.