Mokwena says Lasheen had Real Madrid quality in his younger years

Pyramids FC coach Rulani Mokwena believes defensive midfielder Mohannad Lasheen possessed the ability to play for Real Madrid earlier in his career, as the South African praised two of his players after Monday’s Egyptian Premier League victory over Al Masry.

Pyramids extended their winning run to three league matches with a 1-0 away victory, a result that kept them at the top of the table with nine points. The win also gave Mokwena the opportunity to reflect on a difficult fixture against opponents his side had struggled to overcome in the past.

“We played a very difficult match against Al Masry. I don’t remember the last time Pyramids beat Al Masry, we hadn’t beaten them for a long time,” he said after the match, according to Egyptian channel ON Sports.

Mokwena highlighted the performances of Morocco international full-back Mohamed Chibi and Lasheen, whose experience and influence in midfield impressed the Pyramids manager.

The coach went further in his assessment of Lasheen, suggesting that the player’s age was the only factor that may have prevented him from reaching the level required to represent one of the biggest clubs in world football.

“Mohamed Chibi is one of the best players on the African continent,” Mokwena added.

“If Mohannad Lasheen was younger, I think he could have played for Real Madrid. He is a player with special qualities.

“We must remain humble and continue working. The journey is very long, and we have a very good team and top-level players.”

Mokwena’s comments came after Pyramids secured another important result at the start of their Egyptian Premier League campaign. Their latest success maintained their position at the summit, while also ending what he described as a long wait for a victory against Al Masry.

The manager’s assessment of Chibi underlined the regard in which the Moroccan defender is held within the team, with Mokwena describing him as one of the leading players on the African continent. His praise for Lasheen was similarly emphatic, with the coach pointing to the midfielder’s “special qualities” and imagining what might have been possible earlier in his career.

Despite the strong start and the quality available in his squad, Mokwena urged Pyramids to avoid becoming complacent. He said the team needed to continue working and remain humble because the season still had a long way to run.

Pyramids’ three successive victories have placed them on nine points and preserved their grip on first place. Their 1-0 success away to Al Masry was the latest step in a positive opening to the campaign under Mokwena.

By Lukhanyo Mtuta

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