Pyramids FC confirm Mustafa Ziko fit to return against El Gouna

Pyramids FC have confirmed that Mustafa Ziko is available to make his first appearance of the season in Wednesday’s Egyptian Premier League meeting with El Gouna.

Mustafa Abdel Raouf Ziko missed Pyramids’ opening three league matches after suffering a knee injury, but the club’s head of medical affairs, Mostafa El-Mouniri, says the forward has completed his rehabilitation and is now ready to play.

Pyramids host El Gouna at the Air Defence Stadium at 17:00 local time on Wednesday, 7 September, in the fourth round of the Egyptian Premier League.

“Mustafa Ziko suffered a knee injury and recently underwent an intensive rehabilitation programme to return,” El-Mouniri said in comments published by Pyramids’ media centre.

“He gradually took part in training and has become completely ready to participate, starting with the El Gouna match.”

El-Mouniri added that Ziko’s recovery had been completed from both a medical and physical perspective, although the final decision on whether he starts or comes off the bench rests with head coach Rhulani Mokwena.

“Ziko is medically and physically ready to participate from the El Gouna match, but the decision to play him ultimately comes from the technical staff and belongs to Rhulani Mokwena, the head coach,” he said.

Ziko had previously explained the reason for his absence through the club’s media centre, saying the injury had been minor but had prevented him from taking part in the team’s early fixtures.

“I had a slight injury in my knee. Thankfully, I am in a better condition now, and I have recently been taking part in group training sessions. I will return to the pitch in the next Egyptian Premier League match against El Gouna,” he said.

The 7 September fixture will be Pyramids’ fourth league game of the campaign. The club currently sit top of the Egyptian Premier League table with nine points, level with Al Ahly but ahead on goal difference.

That position means Pyramids have won each of their first three matches, while Ziko has been unavailable for selection during that run. His return gives Mokwena the option of including him in the squad for the first time this season, although the coach will decide how and when he is used.

El Gouna will be the visitors for the evening match at the Air Defence Stadium, with the fixture scheduled to begin at 17:00. Pyramids’ medical department has now cleared Ziko, bringing an end to his absence caused by the knee problem and making him eligible to feature in the club’s latest league fixture.