Reaction in South Africa has been mixed after Pitso Mosimane was recently appointed as new head coach of Iranian outfit Esteghlal FC. However, how has the former Bafana Bafana mentor been received in the West Asian country?
Mosimane has been breaking barriers and pioneering a coaching career from a South African perspective, since he became the first Sub-Saharan tactician to be in charge of Al Ahly after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in 2020.
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A successful spell there eventually led him to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates and after his last job at Abha FC had expressed interest to coach in the Gulf region, should he not return directly to the lucrative Saudi Pro League.
There has been mixed feelings with 'Jingles' going to coach in Iran, with a certain section of fans suggesting he has been influenced by money, while another section applauds the move, where he will be back in the AFC Champions League, playing against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, among other clubs, a match he missed on Wednesday over paperwork issues.
However, supporters in Iran are looking forward to the tenure of Mosimane, who is highly regarded, given his title-winning pedigree.
"The news came a few weeks ago. When I saw it, I was very hopeful because obviously Pitso is a very big name. I mean, winning three African championship [Champions League] titles is not something small," Iranian journalist Erfan Hoseiny said on Radio 2000's Game On.
"The reaction overall has been very good. I mean, any manager with 20 championships to their name… I'm excited not only for South Africans but any African supporter who wants to come our way, we welcome them with open arms.
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"There's a lot of Iranians who follow Asian football. He's coached Asian clubs, Al Ahli Saudi, Abha, Al Wahda, so it's not like he's a complete stranger to Iranian football fans. People do know about him, he's not completely new to them," Hoseiny said.
The 60-year-old's warm welcome has also been boosted by the fact that South African midfielder Ayanda Patosi was brought to Iran by Esteghlal from Cape Town City back in 2019.