Rulani Mokwena: Egypt should call up more Pyramids players

Pyramids manager Rulani Mokwena believes Egypt should select more players from his club, including goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy and midfielder Nasser Maher.

Speaking to On Sport Max, Mokwena said: “If I did not feel that we had the best players in Africa, I should not be coaching this team. I believe Egypt should include more players from Pyramids.”

He highlighted El Shenawy’s performances, saying the goalkeeper “keeps clean sheets and leads on the pitch”, while also praising the club’s defence.

“Our defensive line may be the best, with players such as Ahmed Sami,” he said. “Nasser Maher is a great player and has continued the level he showed last season. We also have other players.”

Only three Pyramids players were included in Egypt’s most recent camp: Mohannad Lasheen, Mostafa Abdel Raouf “Zico” and Mahmoud Saber.

Mokwena also paid tribute to the work carried out before his arrival at Pyramids and credited the club’s management for its transfer strategy.

“I want to give credit to the previous technical staff because they did a great job in laying strong foundations for Pyramids,” he said. “We also recognise the role of the club’s management in the way it approached recruitment.

“We have players of a very high level, and that is evidence of the club making excellent signings.”

The South African manager said former Egypt international Youssef Obama’s improvement had been largely down to the player himself.

“Credit for Obama’s development belongs to him,” Mokwena said. “I have not done a great deal with him. Of course, we have trained and spoken together, but he has qualities as a forward that allow the team to attack in different ways.

“He can link the lines and make runs in behind the defence.”

Mokwena was similarly impressed by the attitude of Mohannad Lasheen, who he said had responded positively to coaching both on and off the pitch.

“I was greatly affected by Mohannad Lasheen’s humility and his acceptance of guidance,” he said. “Players of this level are not always open to development, but he is a wonderful person.

“I have spoken to him a lot, not only about football but also about life in Egypt and South Africa. I believe that to be a good player, you must also be a good human being, and I think he is an outstanding person.”

Mokwena added that Lasheen’s ability to operate in several midfield positions, combined with his reading of the game, made him an effective player.

“He has an extraordinary sense of space, which enables him to win the ball without making mistakes,” Mokwena said. “He can exploit small spaces, and I believe his level makes him capable of playing in Europe.

“He has the qualities of a successful Real Madrid midfielder. If you look at the characteristics of Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Toni Kroos, you will see that he possesses some of them. He can defend and also give the team strength in attack.”