I’m Not In Football To Break Records

Sports personalities, over and above their work in the trade business of sports develop a strong brand outside the game and position themselves in the fans’ minds. This is a competitive edge which often determines whether a sports personality attracts endorsements or not. The edge separates them from other personalities in terms of being marketable and attractive to the business side of the game.

It’s crystal clear that Pitso Mosimane sees himself more than just being a football coach. His brand equity has grown so much across all regions of the continent that it has become almost impossible not to recognize him. He has promised before a legacy project and a book amongst other things he wants to do perhaps before he quits the game and retire.

In his 21 years of coaching in professional football, ‘Jingles’ has never had it easy. To even begin to think he could be mentioned in 2020 world coach of the year conversations was never in any football fans sense of imagination. He has dealt with difficulties from both inside and outside organizations. Maintained a view that often regarded as unpopular, and challenging the status quo. He has been fined for his comments and controlled conversations in social media and print media. There has been banners of Pitso Mosimane is Morocco about the comments he has made. There was a standstill in East Africa when Pitso went to a Mall. This is how big of a brand he is.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor is humble about his journey and achievements. In his 9 months in Egypt, he has won 3 titles. He is now currently in the 2021 Total Energies CAF Champions League Final, and also challenging for the Egyptian Premier League title. Coaching a big club like Al Ahly presents its own challenges and Pitso has been prepared very well for them. He is a big brand that is in the hands of the biggest football club in the continent.

There has been comparisons of Pitso and Manuel Jose, the famous Al Ahly coach whom won 20 titles for the club, which includes 4 Champions League titles. Pitso is not easily excited by those comparisons. Instead, he says, “I am not in football to break records”. That he says preparing for the three upcoming league games in the Egyptian Premier League and a tough Total Energies CAFCL final against his childhood club, Kaizer Chiefs, on the 17^th of July 2021 in Morocco.

The 2021 final is Pitso’s third final in his career. His second in a row. He has beaten Zamalek twice in the final, first in 2016 while coaching Sundowns, and second in 2020 with Ahly. Pitso knows Kaizer Chiefs are not an easy side to play against as they pose lot of threat in their game.

Whether winning this championship against Chiefs will earn him more respect or not Pitso, didn’t want to be drawn into that discussion. He reiterated his earlier point that, “if you’re chasing that (records) you’re in trouble. How many trophies has Pep (Guardiola) won? So what? Alex Ferguson? If you chase records you can be in trouble. Luis Enrique had a great record at Barca, (but) he bombed out of the Euros.”

Whether he is respected or not, it remain not for him to choose. “Records are there, but they don’t mean nothing. I’d like to go away from records, but whether respected or not, my work must speak for me”

Mosimane draws inspiration from the journey of Carlo Ancellotti whom has coached top European clubs, won league championships in many countries, and European Champions League.

There is no doubt that Mosimane want to be counted amongst the greatest in the world, and also on the continent, as he continues to build his legacy and set his footprint in the game. His commitment to football and work will always be recognized across all regions of the African continent and beyond.

Philani Ndlela