Pyramids to face Persepolis in Turkey as part of four-match pre-season schedule

Pyramids will take on Iranian champions Persepolis in Turkey as one of four friendly fixtures arranged for the club’s pre-season training camp ahead of the new campaign.

The Egyptian side have confirmed a programme of four warm-up matches during their stay in the Turkish city of Erzurum, where the squad are currently based. The camp, which began this week, is scheduled to run until 9 August.

Sporting director Hani Said explained that the first test will come against Persepolis, who are holding their own pre-season preparations in the same city.

“Pyramids will play their first friendly match against Persepolis of Iran, who are holding their training camp in the same city,” Said told the club’s media channel.

The match has been set for 17:00 local time on Sunday in Erzurum. Said added that details of the remaining three friendlies will be released in due course, with dates and opponents still to be confirmed.

Persepolis arrive as Iran’s most decorated league side, having won the domestic title 16 times and lifting the trophy in each of the last two seasons.

New era under Mokwena

The camp marks the start of a new chapter for Pyramids, who are preparing for domestic and continental competitions under recently appointed head coach Rulani Mokwena.

Pyramids head into the season as holders of the Egypt Cup, having secured the title last term, and are using the Turkish camp to integrate Mokwena’s ideas and build fitness following the summer break.

Said has travelled with the squad and is overseeing the logistical and sporting arrangements around the camp and friendly schedule.

Squad travelling to Turkey

Pyramids have taken a near full-strength group to Erzurum. The club announced the following players as part of the training camp squad:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Gad, Ziyad Haitham.

Defenders: Mahmoud Marei, Ahmed Sami, Osama Galal, Mohamed Chibi, Mohamed Hamdi.

Midfielders: Mostafa Fathi, Ahmed Tawfik, Mahmoud Saber, Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz “Zalaka”, Walid El Karti, Abdel Rahman Magdy, Ahmed Atef Qetta, Aouda Fakhouri, Everton Da Silva, Hamid Hamdan, Pascal Ferry, Hassan Tarek, Youssef “Micho”, Ahmed Fawzy, Ziyad Saudi.

Forwards: Youssef Ibrahim “Obama”, Dodo Elgabas.

The club confirmed that some players were granted additional rest following recent international commitments and other engagements, and are due to link up with the group later in the camp.

The pre-season squad is expected to be fully complete from 29 July, once those players have reported back for duty.

World Cup trio rejoin after extended break

Three Pyramids players – Mostafa Ziko, Karim Hafez and Mohanad Lasheen – were involved with Egypt at the 2026 World Cup and were consequently given extra time off before joining Mokwena’s preparations.

All three featured in the tournament with the national team and are seen as key members of the Pyramids squad for the upcoming season, both in the Egyptian Premier League and in continental competition.

The Turkish camp, the four friendly fixtures and the reintegration of the World Cup trio are all seen within the club as essential steps in ensuring Pyramids begin the new campaign in strong physical and tactical condition.