It has reportedly been revealed whether the future of the Raja Club Athletic head coach depends on his ability to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.
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Ricardo Sa Pinto had a difficult start to life as Green Eagles boss, failing to win his first seven matches in charge of the reigning Moroccan champions.
During that time, Raja only managed to score two goals, which led to intense speculation about his tenure as coach of the North African giants.
The Portuguese tactician finally managed his first win in charge of his new side this past weekend, as his charges defeated Hassania d'Agadir 3-1.
Up next for the Porto native, however, will be crucial encounters in the Champions League against the Democratic Republic of Congo's AS Maniema Union and South African title holders Sundowns.
Given that the 52-year-old was subjected to intense media scrutiny prior to his recent domestic victory, it seems that the win in the Botola Pro Inwi has bought him some time.
According to Kooora, the results against Maniema and Sundowns will not have any bearing on his future, as the club intends to back him regardless of how the looming fixtures play out.
Sa Pinto is the three-time African champions' third manager of the season, and it appears they are keen to avoid parting ways with another one this early into the campaign.
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Raja are currently 10 points off the top of the Moroccan top-flight table and sit bottom of Group B in the Champions League. However, they will be hoping to address their continental struggles in the immediate future, given that they only return to domestic action in two weeks' time.