Pitso Mosimane has said that it has been a tough decision for him to leave South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 56-year-old gaffer announced his shock departure from Mamelodi on Wednesday afternoon to join Egyptian side Al Ahly.

“It is with a sense of pain and sadness that I announce my departure from Mamelodi Sundowns,” Mosimane admitted in the statement released.

“I have accepted an offer from an international club,” he added.

Mosimane joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2012 after leaving his role as South Africa national team coach and his eight-year stay at Sundowns has been fruitful.

“Mamelodi Sundowns has been my family for almost eight years. The president Dr. Patrice Motsepe has been like a father to me.”

“He has been a mentor, a friend, a supporter and a confidante. I could never quit him or Mamelodi Sundowns.”

“I am only going to carry the spirit of the Yellow Nation with me,” he noted.

Mosimane guided Mamelodi to five Premier Soccer League titles, two Nedbank Cups, two Telkom knockout cups, one CAF Champions League title and one CAF Super Cup.

“After winning five league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns including the 10th for the club, how can a man ever find it easy to say goodbye to his home?”

“How can I say goodbye to the family, the board, the supporters and the fans?” he said.

At Al Ahly, he comes as a replacement for the Swiss coach René Weiler who stepped down last week.

“I am taking up this new challenge that will push me out of comfort zone. I know Mamelodi will use this as a fresh and new perspective,” he further noted.

Mosimane is the only South African coach to win both the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup when he did so in 2016 and 2017 respectively.