Miracle in the making: Pitso's Al-Ahli within touching distance of Saudi's top flight

• Renowned South African coach Pitso Mosimane has lead Al-Ahli to possible promotion to Saudi Pro League.
• Al-Ahli were relegated to the second division last season but have improved under Mosimane's leadership.
• If Al-Ahli win against Hajer next week, they will clinch promotion with 65 points and a goal difference that is nearly unassailable.

Pitso Mosimane is one win away, but mathematically four points away, from guiding Al-Ahli Saudi to automatic promotion to the Saudi Pro League with five games remaining in the tank for Mosimane's charges.

Al-Ahli were relegated from the top-flight Saudi Pro League for the first time in their history last season, finishing with a pitiful 32 log points from 15 matches.

They found the going immensely tough in the second division, claiming a mere eight points from seven starts before Mosimane's timely arrival in late September on a two-year deal.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly boss has taken the club from the trenches of possible back-to-back relegation to being in the pole position of winning the first division with Ahli on 62 points at the top of the table.

After 29 matches, Ahli have generated 18 wins, eight draws, and three defeats, scoring 43 goals and boasting the league’s best defensive record by only conceding 21 goals.

Before Mosimane's arrival, the Saudi Football Federation confirmed the expansion of the Pro League from 16 to 18 teams, starting from the 2023/24 season.

For this change to occur, only two teams would be relegated from the Pro League to the First Division League, and four teams would garner promotion to the Pro League from the First Division.

Based on the current standings in the league, Al-Ahli have been performing well and are currently at the top of the second tier with 62 points from 29 games and a goal difference of +22.

At most, fifth-placed Al-Faisaly, on 44 points from 27 games and a goal difference of +7, could earn as much as 21 points to take their tally to 65 if they win their remaining seven games. They still have an outside chance at promotion, but it won't come at Al-Ahli's expense.

If Al-Ahli just win their upcoming match against ninth-placed Hajer on Wednesday next week, they would also reach 65, however, they are effectively unassailable with a superior goal difference of 15 more than Al-Faisaly.

This means Al-Ahli could celebrate their promotion as early as next Wednesday (if they win).

As it stands, joining Al-Ahli in the Pro League will be Al-Akhdoud (2nd – 59 points), Al-Riyadh (3rd – 56 points), and Al-Hazm (4th – 55 points).

Al-Ahli’s remaining matches are Hajer Club (3 May), Al-Arabi (9 May), Al-Shoulla (17 May), Al-Qadisiyah (23 May), and Al-Hazm (29 May).