Mosimane Clinches Second Win At Esteghlal

Pitso Mosimane has secured his second win since taking up the reigns at Esteghlal FC after a convincing 2-0 win over Foolad in the Iran Persian Gulf League at Foolad Khuzestan Stadium on Saturday.
Mosimane’s charges made their intentions clear from the onset with Brazilian center-back Raphael Silva finding the back of the net two minutes from kick-off, before Amirali Sadeghi doubled the lead in the 21st minute.
The Tehran-based outfit scored a third goal through Uzbekistan winger Jaloliddin Masharipov on the stroke of half-time but it was ruled out by the VAR, leaving the scoreline unchanged for the remainder of the match.
The South African tactician had a rocky start to life in Iran, losing his first three matches to Kheybar and Tractor respectively in the league before a 3-0 loss at the hands of Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The recent result means Esteghlal have recorded back-to-back victories in the league for the first time this season as Mosimane got off the mark with a 1-0 win against Mes Rafsanjan before the previous FIFA international break.
In continental football, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly mentor followed up the Hilal defeat with two consecutive draws against Uzbek outfit Pakhtakor Tashkent FC and star-studded Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia. Mosimane’s side is currently in eighth place on the Iran Persian Gulf League standings with 14 points accumulated, but could potentially be dislodged by ninth-placed Gol Gohar, who have a game in hand set to be played on Monday.
Overall, the 60-year-old coach has won two matches, drew two, and lost three as his troops gear up for a visit from second-division team Mes Kerman FC in the round of 32 of the Hazfi Cup on Wednesday evening.