Pitso Mosimane’s Abha Took Another Hit in their Fight to Survive in the Saudi Pro League With Heavy Loss at Al Okhdood
Abha manager Pitso Mosimane cut a disappointed but determined figure after his side was handed a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Al Akhdood. The team is fighting for survival in the Saudi Pro League.
Abha was second best to the hosts from the get-go, with Al Okhdood dominating the match and only failing to get the early goal to underline their impressive start. However, they were in front five minutes before the break through a strike by Solomon Kvirkvelia.
Al Okhdood upped the ante in the second half, forcing Abha back. The pressure finally paid off when Ali Al Zubaidi doubled their lead in the 47th minute, and Juan Pedrozoza made it three in the 74th minute before Al Hatila wrapped up the heavy win with the fourth in stoppage time.
The bad news for Mosimane is that his side was poor in this defeat. They showed little fighting spirit or resistance against Al Okhdood, who cut through them at will and notched four goals without reply.
The good news for Abha and Mosimane is that they are just two points from safety with five matches remaining in the season. Had Abha prevailed against Al Okhdood, they would have climbed out of the drop zone.
Mosimane, the former Al Ahli Saudi coach, has five matches to save his team from relegation. Being within striking distance of safety means a few permutations and surprises still to come in the remaining five matches.
Mathematically, Abha is within three points of 14th-placed Al Riyadh, meaning the fight for survival is a five-way scrap involving Al Riyadh, Al Okhdood, Al Tai, Abha, and bottom club Al Hazem.
