Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed he decided to stay in Egypt, turning down a six-year retirement package from Bafana Bafana, because he likes the challenge of coaching in the ‘colder enviroments’.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor has excelled since arriving in Egypt and was one of the South African Football Association’s (Safa) top targets after they sacked Molefi Ntseki for failing to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The coach, in charge of the South African national team from July 2010 until June 2012, however said he rejected a return to the set-up because he is enjoying the challenge of coaching the Red Devils.

‘I’m a person who likes challenges, I like to go to colder environments, not warm environments,’ Mosimane said ahead of the Egyptian giants’ second-leg Caf Champions League quarter-final clash with Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

‘I could’ve stayed at Mamelodi Sundowns because I had a four-year contract, but I opted for a two-year contract. I opted to go to a team where I’m supposed to win the Champions League.

‘I’ve opted to go to a team where I’m supposed to win the league, where I’m supposed to win the Egyptian Cup, to a team where we play the World Cup and bring back a medal for the continent.

‘I had an opportunity to be the national coach again, for a very long time, a six-year contract, retirement, but I stayed where it’s cold. That’s where the eagle stays.

‘You know the character of the eagle. We go to cold areas. And it’s good after so many trophies in South Africa that I personally achieved,’ Mosimane explained.

‘I don’t want to recycle. Colder areas, tougher environment and I think you read on the media what happens when we just draw. Because we’ve got 70-million fans, [it’s a] different mentality, different environment, the stars on the badge [Ahly’s Champions League title] say who are you to come here.

‘I need to play against Bayern, Palmeiras, the Cairo derby, face Mamelodi Sundowns, face all the international coaches from Europe. In the league in Egypt, all the big coaches are there. I could’ve stayed here at home and win the DStv Premiership again.’

Since leaving Sundowns for the Club of the Century, Mosimane has overseen 42 matches in all competitions, clocking up 30 wins, eight draws and four defeats.