• Mosimane and Abha drop crucial points
• Former Madrid star starred against Abha
• Abha are still outside relegation zone

WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and Abha FC slipped closer to relegation in the Saudi Pro League after a 5-0 defeat to Al-Shabab.

Abha came into this match highly motivated following a win over Al Fateh on April 7. This was before an embarrassing 8-0 loss to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr earlier this month.

The two teams started the game on a high note, piling pressure on each other. However, it was the home side who broke the deadlock through former Atletico Madrid midfielder Yannick Carrasco in stoppage time of the first half.

In the second half, Mosimane's charges couldn't stand the pressure from Al-Shabab as they scored four goals, with Carrasco completing his brace and bagging an assist to crumble the South African coach's side.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The defeat against the Riyadh-based side saw Mosimane's Abha remain 15th in the Pro League standings with six matches left in the current campaign.

The remaining games for Abha and Mosimane are more than important, as the former Al Ahly coach has been tasked to keep the team in the Saudi top league.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mosimane went to this game wounded as his elder brother Daniel Khoza passed away on Thursday, just hours before the match. 

Mosimane will probably get a few days off to bury his brother before their important away clash against Al Akhdoud next week Saturday.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR MOSIMANE & ABHA?

Abha is still outside the relegation zone, but their contenders for safety are yet to play their 28th game, which puts Mosimane's side in danger of dropping to the relegation spots.

They have collected 25 points in 28 games so far, with 11 having been bagged under Mosimane. Abha's next assignment is an away match against 16-placed Al Akhdoud on Saturday, April 27.