Abha Club have lost their first match under their new manager Pitso Mosimane.
The Saudi Pro League side took on travelling Sudanese outfit Al Hilal Omdurman in a friendly match at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City stadium on Thursday.
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Despite all the hype surrounding the new coach, Mosimane's team suffered a 2-0 defeat.
It was the South African tactician's first outing with his new side as the club looks to be proactive while awaiting their return to league action this month.
The 59-year-old was appointed to the role late in January, confirming what will be his second stint managing a team in the country.
The Leaders of the South will be hoping the former Mamelodi Sundowns can turn their fortunes around as the club currently sits in 17th position on the league table, second from bottom, having taken just 14 points from nine games.
Abha have scored a modest 22 goals during the course of the campaign so far, but have let the ball into the back of their net a staggering 52 times, leaving them with a goal difference of -30.
With what seems to be a mammoth task of saving Abha from potential relegation for the three-time CAF Champions League winner, Mosimane has already brought in some defensive reinforcement for his new squad.
Abha lost the services of top goalscorer Karl Toko Ekambi, who opted to join Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, in the latest transfer window. That deal did, however, saw them secure an experienced defender in the shape of former Monaco centre-back and DR Congo captain Marcel Tisserand, the first signing under Mosimane's reign.
Left-back Ibrahim Al-Zubaidi has also joined in recent days, making the move from Mosimane's previous Saudi club Al Ahli on loan until the end of the season.
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The Leaders of the South's first big test will come when the Saudi Pro League returns, with the side are due to take on fourth-placed Al Taawoun later this month.
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