Having played a massive role in revolutionising the South African coaching industry, Pitso Mosimane says local coaches are finally trusted to handle big projects outside the country.
Mosimane was the first South African to coach Al Ahly and the only African mentor to win the CAF Champions League three times, twice with the Egyptian giants and the other with Mamelodi Sundowns.
After his successful stint in the land of Pharaohs, Mosimane was entrusted with the task of awakening the Saudi Arabian sleeping giant Al-Ahli after they were relegated from the Saudi Pro League.
It’s part of history that the former Bafana Bafana boss lifted Ahli back to the big time in less than a year in charge while sometimes going for months without being paid.
His exploits saw him getting more gigs in the Gulf region, but more importantly, paved the way for other SA coaches.
Most recently, Mzansi celebrated the appointment of Rulani Mokwena as the coach of Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco and Fadlu Davids as the boss of Tanzanian giants Simba.
Speaking after being conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg, Mosimane was proud of his contribution to the profession.
“There are always challenges in whatever you go through and whatever you do. Anything that you do or that has been done, somebody must start,” Mosimane told media.
“And if you want to mention people like Fadlu and them, look where they are now and look where they started, finding the path.
“And the guys talk, they speak to me and obviously when they go to those parts of the world, they will always be asked about Pitso.
“Now there’s trust in South African coaches that we can do something. A South African coach can win a league in Raja (Casablanca). A South African coach can go to Simba, and a South African coach can go to Wydad,” he said.
Before being lured to Tanzania, Davids helped Raja clinch the Moroccan Botola Pro 1 as an assistant coach to former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer.
“We need to create a path, but above that, we need to praise the people. Because you can’t lead when you don’t praise, then you are selfish, then you are jealous, and you can’t build a nation like that,” Mosimane said.
“So, we need to talk good about them and praise them.
“I think coaches like Gavin Hunt will also follow, why not? I mean the guy has won four league titles and is cut to be in that space. He can be in that space, let’s explore.
“I always speak about coaches who come to South Africa and don’t contribute (much) that we should be able to know who needs to come here and look what has happened.
“Look at the coach of TS Galaxy, (Sead Ramovic) he finds an opportunity to go to North Africa, they trust South African products. It’s good.”
Ramovic had attracted interest from Raja, but it appears as if the deal has fallen through.
🚨🟠 #CoachPitsoHonorary, here we go!
— University of Johannesburg (@go2uj) July 24, 2024
Pitso Mosimane, South Africa's legendary football coach has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). 📙
This honour recognises his exceptional contributions to the sport and his commitment to excellence and… pic.twitter.com/Z3ksLavLj5
