By Michael Madyira
Pitso Mosimane’s bid to rescue his new Saudi Pro League side Abha Club from relegation started on a slow note after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Al Taawoun on Thursday.
It was a dramatic end to the contest at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium with both goals scored deep into stoppage time when the match seemed headed for a 0-0 draw.
Abha had benefited from a 93rd-minute own goal by Al Taawoun’s Waleed Al Ahmad but the visitors equalised through midfielder Aschraf El Mahdioui who closely beat the final whistle three minutes later.
The result saw Mosimane’s side still stuck second from the bottom in the 18-team league while Al-Taawoun did not move from fourth spot.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach inherited a struggling team that is now on a nine-match winless streak across all competitions.
His task to save them from demotion is a difficult one as they only have two points more than basement side Al Hazm who have a game in hand.
Should Al Hazm beat Al Fayha on Saturday, they would banish Abha to the bottom of the table making life more complicated for Mosimane.
But the South African trainer will take comfort from the fact that the team now have 10 days to plot against their next opponents, Al Fayha, who are also not safe from relegation.
Mosimane is under pressure to pull some heroics and save Abha Club after his previous coaching job in the United Emirates yielded no trophies for the coach who was used to hauling pieces of silverware everywhere he went.
Pictured above: Abha Club vs Al Taawoun.
Image source: Abha Club
