Pitso Mosimane explains why he missed out on facing Ronaldo's Al Nassr with his new team Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League

Coach Pitso Mosimane had been without a team after parting ways with the Saudi Pro League side Abha six months ago.

Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League giants Esteghlal went for his services to replace Javad Nekouanam after a poor start to the domestic season.

Jingles arrived in Iran for the assignment ahead of the AFC Champions League fixture against Cristiano Ronaldo's side Al Nassr.

However, the tactician was not able to help the Royal Blues who ended up losing the game by a solitary goal, thanks to Aymeric Laporte's 81st minute strike.

The loss meant Esteghlal have just three points in as many matches and are placed sixth on the West table, meaning they have to work harder to stand a chance of advancing.

But why was Mosimane missing in the dugout despite being in the stadium?

"Timing, contracts signed, contracts sealed, paperwork from the office, also, you can’t just leave in the evening because we arrived on the morning of the match," 'the South African coach told Robert Marawa on 947.

"The match is in the evening, we arrive in the morning. I mean what impact can you make besides greeting people? That’s what made this.

"Because we don’t go for one game of playing Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane’s team. I mean if you look at that group, you ask yourself where else can you be," Mosimane concluded.

The 60-year-old's new club has collected eight points after seven games in the Persian Gulf Pro League so far, to sit in a disappointing 11th place, eight points off league leaders Sepahan S.C.

Mosimane is now preparing for the team's first league game of his reign against former Kaizer Chiefs player Anthony Akumu's club, Kheybar Khorramabad on Saturday.