sportskeeda
Pitso Mosimane celebrated his second victory since taking over as the manager of Esteghlal FC, securing a solid 2-0 win against Foolad in the Iran Persian Gulf League at Foolad Khuzestan Stadium on Saturday.
Mosimane’s squad demonstrated their intent right from the kickoff, with Brazilian center-back Raphael Silva finding the net just two minutes into the match, followed by Amirali Sadeghi who doubled the lead in the 21st minute.
As the first half was drawing to a close, the Tehran-based side added a third goal via Uzbekistan winger Jaloliddin Masharipov, but it was ruled out by VAR, keeping the score unchanged for the remainder of the match.
The South African coach faced a tough start to his journey in Iran, suffering losses in his initial three league games against Kheybar and Tractor, capped by a 3-0 defeat to Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite.
This recent win marks Esteghlal’s first consecutive victories in the league this season, with Mosimane achieving his inaugural victory prior to the last FIFA international break, winning 1-0 against Mes Rafsanjan.
In continental contests, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly manager witnessed his team follow the loss to Hilal with two draws against Uzbek club Pakhtakor Tashkent FC and the renowned Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia. Presently, Mosimane’s team sits in eighth place on the Iran Persian Gulf League table with 14 points, but they risk dropping to ninth if Gol Gohar, who are just below them, wins their game in hand scheduled for Monday.
Overall, the 60-year-old coach’s record comprises two wins, two draws, and three losses as his team gears up to face second-tier side Mes Kerman FC in the round of 32 of the Hazfi Cup on Wednesday evening.
