Iran's Persian Gulf Pro League resumed after a two-week break on a bad note for Pitso Mosimane’s Esteghlal FC who lost 0-1 to Shams Azar on Monday afternoon.
Mosimane had, going into the match at Azadi Sports Complex, presided over four consecutive league draws that undermined Esteghlal’s push for a top-four place. That trend continued at the packed arena when Cheshme Khosravi scored in the 64th minute to stun the home crowd.
The hosts tried to push for an equalizer but the visitors stood firm as they took their tally to 16 points while lying in 14th place, two points behind 11th-placed Esteghlal.
A win for the hosts could have taken them up into sixth place but now they trail leaders Tractor FC by 14 points after having last won on December 12, 2024, when they beat Mes Kerman FC.
With one win in five league games, it is unsurprising that the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach has urged management to strengthen the team according to media reports.
The former Al Ahly mentor joined the Iranian outfit on a year-long contract in October 2024 replacing Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh.
His stay in Iran has been punctuated by reports of delayed salary payments for the former Bafana Bafana handler.
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