Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has discussed the possibility of facing Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the CAF Champions League, speaking highly about Gavin Hunt, his countryman.
Ahly and Amakhosi zoomed into the semifinals of the premier continental club competition at the weekend following their aggregate wins over Mamelodi Sundowns and Simba SC respectively.
The Red Devils will face Esperance de Tunis, while Chiefs and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca will trade tackles in the other semi-final – same side that finished above them in the group stages.
“I don’t chose people. I go with one game at a time and I have big respect. Did you see the goals that Chiefs scored? Tell me the goals that Chiefs scored. What were they? With the head,” Mosimane told journalists after Ahly’s 3-1 aggregate win over Downs.
“Simba can play very well, and they dribbled us in Tanzania (Simba topped the group Ahly were in). But when they came to us we organized and we put the ball here (in the air) and then you win. I am not going to point a finger at Gavin Hunt because I respect him.”
Chiefs almost capitulated in the second leg against Simba after their 4-0 advantage was nearly clawed back by the hosts who scored three times in Tanzania. They conceded three early goals and were lucky not to have conceded one more that would have levelled the tie, sending the game into extra time.
The former Sundowns tactician, who has won the CAF CL on two occasions, explained why he holds the former Bidvest Wits coach in high esteem. Having also faced each other in the PSL, there is obviously no love lost between the highly respected managers.
“You know why? Gavin Hunt has won four titles and lots of trophies, so why should I disrespect him? He’s got experience. He might not do very well in the league, but he knows how to win a game,” Mosimane explained.
“We have been there, we don’t just talk things – we know how to win a match. But I have high respect for Sundowns, a team I love so much having worn the jersey and driven this team alone for eight years not with other people. I am driving Ahly, alone.”