Pitso Mosimane: Why I rejected 'retirement' Bafana Bafana offer to stay at Al Ahly

Mosimane was said to be the primary target for the South African Football Association (SAFA) when they sacked Molefi Ntseki upon failing to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

However, the Red Devils boss quickly ruled himself out of contention despite being offered the security of a six-year contract which contrasts the hot-seat he finds himself in at present.

"I'm a person who likes challenges, I like to go to colder environments, not warm environments," Mosimane said ahead of the Egyptian giants' second leg CAF Champions League quarter-final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

"I could've stayed at Mamelodi Sundowns because I had a four-year contract but I opted for a two-year contract. I opted to go to a team where I'm supposed to win the Champions League.

"I've opted to go to a team where I'm supposed to win the league, where I'm supposed to win the Egyptian Cup, to a team where we play the World Cup and bring back a medal for the continent.

"I had an opportunity to be the national coach again, for a very long time, a six-year contract, retirement, but I stayed where it's cold. That's where the eagle stays."

1. Manuel Jose (1 January 2004 - June 2009) - Egyptian Premier League x5, Egypt Cup x2, Egyptian Super Cup x4, CAF Champions League x3, CAF Super Cup x3

2. Hossam El Badry (22 June 2009 - 22 November 2010) - Egyptian Premier League, Egyptian Super Cup

3. Manuel Jose (31 December 2010 - 19 May 2012) - Egyptian Premier League

4. Hossam El Badry (21 May 2012 - 6 May 2013) - 1 CAF Champions League

5. Mohamed Youssef (29 April 2013 - 30 April 2014) - CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup

6. Fathi Mabrouk (1 May 2014 - 7 July 2014) - Egyptian Premier League

7. Juan Carlos Garrido (8 July 2014 - 3 May 2015) - CAF Confederation Cup, Egyptian Super Cup

8. Fathi Mabrouk (4 May 2015- 5 October 2015)

9. Jose Peseiro (16 October 2015 - 18 January 2016)

10. Martin Jol (28 February 2016 - 22 August 2016) - Egyptian Premier League

11. Hossam El Badry (24 August 2016 - 15 May 2018) - Egyptian Premier League, Egyptian Super Cup, Egypt Cup

12. Patrice Carteron (12 June 2018 - 22 November 2018)

13. Martin Lasarte (30 December 2018 - 17 August 2019) - Egyptian Premier League

14. Rene Weiler (31 August 2019 - 30 September 2020) - Egyptian Premier League, Egyptian Super Cup

15. Pitso Mosimane (30 September - present) - CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup, Egyptian Cup

The two-time Champions League-winning coach said he wanted to be tested at a higher level, to step outside of his comfort zone and not be a part of the recycling of coaches back in South Africa.

"You know the character of the eagle. We go to cold areas. And it's good after so many trophies in South Africa that I personally achieved," Mosimane explained.

"I don't want to recycle. Colder areas, tougher environment and I think you read on the media what happens when we just draw. Because we've got 70 million fans, [it's a] different mentality, different environment, the stars on the badge [Ahly's Champions League title] say who are you to come here.

"I need to play against Bayern, Palmeiras, the Cairo derby, face Mamelodi Sundowns, face all the international coaches from Europe. In the league in Egypt, all the big coaches are there. I could've stayed here at home and win the DStv Premiership again."

Since leaving Sundowns for the Club of the Century, Mosimane has overseen 42 matches in all competitions, with 30 wins, eight draws and four defeats.

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