Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has opened up on the immense pressure he is under as Al Ahly coach.
The South African addressed the media ahead of his side’s UEFA Super Cup final against CAF Confederations Cup winners RS Berkane on Friday, saying his side want to add another trophy to the club’s illustrious cabinet.
When asked whether Friday’s final will hold more pressure than other games because there is a trophy on the line, Mosimane explained that him and his players are under pressure in every match.
“When you coach a team of Al Ahly, every match has pressure,” he told the media representatives.
“I’ve never been going through a match at Al Ahly without pressure.
“You can say maybe more pressure on the Champions League, against Mamelodi Sundowns. There was pressure with Zamalek, there was pressure to win in Alexandria against Al Ittihad, so there will be pressure tomorrow.
“There will be pressure when we are going back. There will be pressure in the semi-final, everywhere.
“Me and my players, if we can’t take pressure, then we are representing the wrong brand. This brand is about achieving the results, this brand is about winning.
“At Al Ahly you are expected to win each game and we know our expectation and obligation. We will do our best and make sure our supporters are happy at home and also build the brand.”
Mosimane also explained that the recent heavy fixture schedule is weighing on his squad but insisted they will be mentally ready for the clash.
“We have been involved in four big games. We played Al Ittihad in Cairo and Zamalek. We came to play Mamelodi Sundowns home and away.
“Four big games that have taken a little bit from us within a very short space of time. The traveling from Cairo to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Doha.
“We will try and make sure that we are ready for the game mentally because physically we are not in the same strong position as Berkane. From Berkane to come here it’s not that far.
“We’ve been on road, we’ve had big games in a short space of time, but you know the cup final should motivate us because mentally we should be right.”
Friday’s CAF Super Cup will kick off at 18:00, SA time with Mosimane in line claim the fourth trophy since joining the Egyptian giants in October.
