Ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final showdown with Palmeiras, Mosinane already knows what he is to do to the Brazilians, who are on a revenge mission following last year’s shock exit.

Mosimane, who’s been in charge of Al Ahly since 2020, believes in his team and would do anything tactically to reach the Club World Cup finals.

However, Mosimane’s take on Brazilian football and Palmeiras, in particular, appears to be completely different from how others see it. According to him, Brazilian football is “weakened” and lacking the same strength as in other times, with problems including training athletes.

Pitso Mosimane’s claim on the style of play in the Brazilian football scene was revealed by Pio Nogueira, a former Brazilian professional Footballer, in an interview with ESPN Brasil.

As per the words of Pio Nogueira in the interview with ESPN Brasil, he told him during the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup he no longer believes in Brazilian football after Palmeiras lost to Al Ahly in the 3rd place match.

“In the 2020 Club World Cup, which Palmeiras lost to Al Ahly in the 3rd place decision, he was already the coach. Before the game, he told me: ‘ Pio, I no longer believe in that strength of Brazilian football. The talented players of yesteryear. That’s why I’m going after Palmeiras'”, said Nogueira.

Palmeiras have a chance to redeem themselves this time but would have to stop Pitso Mosimame and Al Ahly to get there. Even though the coach of the African side is optimistic about a favourable result on his side, Palmeiras squad this time is far much better than in 2020.

Pio Nogueira continued to reveal the words of Pitso, who spends more time following football and football-related activities across the world.

“He told me the following: ‘ Pio, Brazilian football is fragile, because you have returned to a situation where your base coaches are no longer coaches, they are ‘university trainers’, only physical educators “, he added.

Palmeiras style of play as per analysis by Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane

Palmeiras doesn’t like the ball

He sees Palmeiras as a team focusing on a reactive approach to football and not a purposeful one.

“In 2020, before the 3rd place dispute, he told me: ‘I’m going to beat Palmeiras’. He was sincere and told me: ‘ Pio, Palmeiras don’t like the ball; they like the counterattack situation. I’m going to use it on my team in the same way because I have players in better physical condition than theirs. I’m going to tell them to save themselves and, when they start on the counterattack, leave quickly because Egyptian athletes are extreme and fast. He already knew for sure how he was going to play against Palmeiras'”, he recalled.

Pitso Mosimane and Al Ahly take on Palmeiras in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup. The two sides would be meeting once again, and the Brazilians led by Abel Ferreira have been tasked to ensure the error doesn’t repeat itself.