Mokwena says Mahand Lashin has the ability to play for Real Madrid

Pyramids manager Rulani Mokwena says he wishes he had worked with midfielder Mahand Lashin earlier in his career and believes the Egypt international has the ability to play for Real Madrid.

Mokwena made the comments during an interview with Al Nahar channel after Pyramids’ strong start to the season. The South African coach, who took charge at the beginning of the current campaign, has guided the team to victories in each of their first four matches.

Discussing Pyramids’ results against Egypt’s leading clubs, Mokwena said psychology had an important influence on football and on how teams respond in difficult periods.

“Winning against Al Ahly and not winning against Zamalek? I believe the psychological side affects life, and a good coach benefits greatly from psychology because it helps you generally with how to behave, especially in difficult moments, and all of that is reflected in performance,” he said.

Mokwena added that Pyramids had also ended a long wait for a victory over Al Masry.

“I learned that, since 2023, we had also not beaten Al Masry, and nobody expected us to win against them,” he said.

The manager said he felt a strong connection with Pyramids and valued the environment around the club.

“I like dealing with good people and a good environment, and I genuinely feel a sense of belonging to Pyramids. I am grateful for the circumstances that led me to work here,” he said.

Mokwena insisted his focus remained on winning rather than worrying about what may happen in the future.

“For me, I think only about winning. I am not afraid of the future because I live in reality and in the present. Happy periods will not last forever, but what matters to me is that I prepare and deal with winning and losing in the same way,” he said.

He also said the players understood the importance of maintaining the club’s recent achievements.

“The players know the value of winning here, and perhaps we have achieved something we had never achieved before, so we are trying to protect those results,” Mokwena added.

The coach then turned his attention to the Egypt national team, saying the country’s football had made significant progress when viewed through its performances at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

“If you look at the Egypt national team at the Africa Cup of Nations and then at the World Cup, you will see that Egyptian football has developed significantly at this moment. I saw the team playing collectively and not relying only on Mohamed Salah, and I can feel the role of the head coach,” he said.

Mokwena also praised Pyramids players Zico and Karim Hafez.

“I am proud of Zico and Karim Hafez, who was excellent,” he said.

He reserved particular praise for Lashin, whose ability to control matches had impressed him.

“I thought the Egypt national team was excellent when Mahand Lashin was there, while it was different without him. He has a great ability to control the match, and I wish I had met him at the beginning of my career. I believe he has the ability to play for Real Madrid,” Mokwena said.