A detailed look at Pitso's new employers

On Thursday, it was announced that South African coach Pitso Mosimane has been appointed as the new manager of Abha Club. We decided to take a closer look at the Saudi Pro League outfit "Jingles" will call his new home!

Mosimane is now set for a second stint in Saudi Arabia, although the team he takes charge of this time will be in the country's top flight, and he will be managing his side among fierce competition, including Al Nassr, Al Hilal and the team he got promoted to the first tier last season, Al Ahli.

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After signing a contract that will keep him at the Abha helm for the remainder of the season, the 56-year-old has a big job on his hands as he now manages a relegation-threatened team for the first time in his career.

Abha are currently second-bottom of the SPL table, with just four wins from 19 games so far. 

With avid followers of the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach now expected to keep an eye how the manager is doing, here are some key details about the club.

Abha have now spent five years in the SPL, having won the Saudi second-tier title in the 2018/19 season after a 10-year hiatus. Since then, the club has been a middling team, finishing ninth, 13th, ninth, and 12th in the campaigns that have followed.

Key Players

Mosimane has some notable stars in his new squad, such as their current No. 1, former AC Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, who joined the club in August 2023 after making 37 appearances for the Serie A giants. The 37-year-old Romanian also won the 2021/22 Serie A title with the Italian powerhouse. Another goalkeeper Mosimane now has at his disposal is Devis Epassy, who is one of Cameroon's back-up keepers at the current Africa Cup of Nations.

Another high-profile name in the team is Poland international Grzegorz Krychowiak, who previously represented Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla, and West Bromwich Albion, among others. The 33-year-old defensive midfielder is a staple in the side, with 18 league appearances, three goals, and one assist so far this season.

Another AFCON star in Mosimane's new outfit is Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi, who has scored one goal in two matches at the tournament so far. The centre-forward joined Abha from Olympique Lyon in August 2023, in a deal worth €1.5 million (R30 million). The 31-year-old has seven goals and one assist in 17 matches in all competitions for the club to date. 

Guinea international Francois Kamano also represents Abha, and the left winger notably captained his national team in the absence of Naby Keita during their first 2023 AFCON game against Cameroon on 15 January. The 27-year-old is another recent signing at the club after he joined on a free transfer from Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow.

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Abha will resume their season on 15 February with a league clash against Al-Taawoun. The side will also take on Steven Gerrard's A-Ettifaq in March, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in April, and then reigning champions Al Ittihad in May.

Last, but certainly not least, on 16 May, he will return to face his former club Al Ahli, who now have the likes of Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy and Franck Kessie on their books.

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