The steps that Pitso Mosimane has taken in unlocking doors in the Middle East market as a black African coach have been highlighted as being worthy of being celebrated and respected.
With Al Wahda, Mosimane is in his third job in the Middle East after spells at Al Ahly Cairo and Al Ahli Jeddah.
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Yet, while he is still fresh at the Abu Dhabi club, the weight of his presence is as visible as the city's skyscrapers and being felt like the heat that is averaging highs of 40 degrees Celsius this time of the year.
"You know the biblical saying 'a prophet is not without honour expect in his own town' can perfectly be applied to Pitso," says South Africa based agent Rui Frois who is currently on a working visit in the UAE.
Frois spoke to KickOff.com the night after dining with Mosimane in Abu Dhabi.
"I have been surprised at how much Pitso is celebrated here in the United Arab Emirates.
"He is a huge coach and bigger than a lot of these European coaches.
"Trust me, Pitso is the man that will change that this thing of undermining African coaches just because we come from a continent associated with so many ills due to all the disadvantages that we have had to live with.
"We should embrace Pitso as a continent because he is unlocking the tightest of doors in this difficult coaching space for black African coaches.
"The colour is such a huge hurdle in the international coaching space and for Pitso to be where he is now tells you of how good he is.
"Even the car guards here are celebrating Pitso even though football has not always been the biggest thing here.
"My man, Pitso is a hero here and remember he is not coaching just another team but Al Wahda, the king's team.
"I have been surprised that Pitso is being shown more respect here in the UAE than he ever got in South Africa where he was even ridiculed by some.
"It is unfortunate that we can't embrace our own and maybe it is because the colour of the skin.
"They love Pitso here in the UAE which is why I say he is celebrated here more than he has ever been in South Africa.
"Pitso has not been long here, but he has already felt like a king especially after beating Dutch legend Frank de Boer in the local derby against Al Jazira.
"Just the other day he hammered (Spanish legend) Andries Iniesta's club 8-0 on aggregate.
"He has won four games in a row already and trust me to win over the local people here is not easy at all.
"Let us respect and celebrate Pitso for what he is doing by breaking into this kind of market here in the Middle East as a black African coach," says Frois.
Al Wahda have another huge contest on Friday against Shabab Al Ahli in the league and have further interests in the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup (league cup).
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