NEWS: Pitso Mosimane’s Abha side thumped by Al-Nassr thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo was the foreman in the demolition job as he netted a hat-trick and provided a single assist to inflict Mosimane’s worst defeat as a head coach.

However, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly mentor did not shy away from accountability as he owned up to his side’s sloppiness.

“I bear full responsibility. We must accept the loss after committing many mistakes, and we must learn from this harsh lesson. Al-Nassr gave us five goals with serious mistakes. I feel sorry for the player, Mohammed Al-Qahtani. He is a young player and must learn from his mistakes in the upcoming matches,” Mosimane was quoted as saying by Yallakora.

Mosimane started the game with a number of his regular players but fan favourite and star man Saad Bguir was reduced to a spectator for 66 minutes and came on when the damage was already done.

When ‘Jingles’ was asked about his decision to start the Tunisian on the bench, he took no prisoners, responding in a classic Mosimane style.

“Would we have won if I had included him? Why didn’t you ask me this question when we achieved the victory?” said Mosimane, who went on to reiterate the mandate from his employers: “Our first mission now is to stay in the Saudi League,” explained the three-time Caf Champions League winner.

Mosimane’s Abha side are rooted in the relegation quagmire where they find themselves sitting second from bottom with 22 points, tied with Al Tai as Al Hazem are at the foot of the table with 16 points.

The Saudi Pro League houses 18 teams and the bottom three drop to the second tier, meaning Mosimane and his trusted lieutenants – Maahier Davids, Kabelo Rangoaga, Hamad Alyami, Kyle Solomons, and Musi Matlaba – will have to chisel out a winning formula in the remaining eight games if they are to retain their top-flight status.