Cleopatra FC defender and Al Ahly-fan favourite Saad Samir has insisted that his departure from the Reds had nothing to do with Pitso Mosimane.
Samir, a product of Al Ahly’s youth sector, played for the club for 12 years, before departing for Future FC on loan and then joined Cleopatra last summer permanently.
The loan to Future took place after Samir fell down the pecking order at Al Ahly under Pitso Mosimane, who preferred the likes of Ayman Ashraf, Yasser Ibrahim, Badr Benoun, and Rami Rabia over him.
Speaking on the South African coach, Samir said: “Pitso Mosimane had nothing to do with my departure from Al Ahly.
“After my return from injury, the period of COVID-19 came, and Mosimane arrived at Al Ahly for the Wydad games in the semi-final of the Champions League before facing Zamalek in the final.
“At that time, it was a tight and difficult period, and there was no time to think about oneself, but rather to win the title. This also applies to Walid Soliman, who was not regularly participating then.
“Mosimane’s relationship with the senior players at Al Ahly was good.
“In the final against Zamalek, I was injured, and he requested our presence in the matchday squad and the camp to support and boost the players,” he added.