Pyramids FC name Obama in attack for Rulani Mokwena’s first match as Ahmed Abdel Kader starts on bench

Youssef Ibrahim “Obama” will lead the Pyramids FC attack against Ghazl El Mahalla as South African manager Rulani Mokwena takes charge of the club for the first time in an official match.

The two sides meet shortly in the opening round of the league, with Pyramids FC selecting a starting line-up that includes Obama in the front three. Newly signed forward Ahmed Abdel Kader, who joined from Iraqi club Al-Karmah, has been named among the substitutes.

Ahmed El Shenawy starts in goal, with Karim Hafez, Mahmoud Marei, Ahmed Sami and Mohamed Chibi forming the defensive line.

Walid El Karti, Mohanad Lasheen and Mahmoud Saber make up the midfield, while Ouda Fakhouri, Obama and Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz “Zlaka” have been chosen in attack.

Pyramids FC’s starting line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Ahmed El Shenawy

Defenders: Karim Hafez, Mahmoud Marei, Ahmed Sami, Mohamed Chibi

Midfielders: Walid El Karti, Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber

Forwards: Ouda Fakhouri, Youssef Ibrahim “Obama”, Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz “Zlaka”

Abdel Kader’s position on the bench means he will begin the match as an option for Mokwena rather than in the starting XI. The forward is one of the new arrivals available to Pyramids FC after his move from Al-Karmah in Iraq.

Mokwena will also be without Mostafa Abdel Raouf “Zico” for the fixture against Ghazl El Mahalla. Algeria forward Ahmed Nader Ben Bouali, another player who joined the club during the summer transfer window, is also absent from the available options for the match.

The game therefore marks the official start of Mokwena’s time in charge with Obama selected to spearhead the attack. Ghazl El Mahalla provide the opposition in the first league round, while Pyramids FC have opted for a midfield built around El Karti, Lasheen and Saber behind their three forwards.

With Zico and Ben Bouali unavailable and Abdel Kader beginning among the substitutes, Obama has been handed the responsibility of leading the line in Mokwena’s first competitive appearance as Pyramids FC manager.