Pyramids forward Mostafa Ziko reveals injury behind Egyptian Premier League absence

Mostafa Ziko says a minor knee injury has kept him out of Pyramids’ Egyptian Premier League matches this season, but the Egypt international expects to return against El Gouna in the club’s next league fixture.

Ziko, whose full name is Mostafa Abdel Raouf Ziko, has not featured for Pyramids in the Egyptian Premier League since the start of the current campaign. He has now resumed full team training and says his recovery is progressing well.

“I had a minor injury in my knee, and thankfully it is in a better condition now,” Ziko told Pyramids’ media centre. “I have recently started taking part in group training sessions, and I will return to the pitch in the next Egyptian Premier League match against El Gouna.”

Pyramids travel to Kenya to face Gor Mahia in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie on Sunday.

Ziko said the club were aware of the difficulties involved in playing away from home in Africa and would focus on securing a positive result before the return fixture.

“The match against Gor Mahia will certainly be difficult,” he said. “In Africa, away matches are more challenging, but we are focusing only on the game. We are facing a tough opponent and working to achieve the best possible result away from home so that the second leg becomes a little easier.”

He added: “The most important thing in the CAF Champions League is the start, and we will be playing a knockout match, so we are working to get the best result possible from Kenya.”

The return leg will be played next Sunday at Air Defence Stadium.

Pyramids won the CAF Champions League for the first time in the 2024-25 season, defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on aggregate across the two legs. Ziko said that success had strengthened the team’s desire to win the competition again.

“We have won the trophy before, so we are working to win it again,” he said. “God willing, we can achieve it once more, and our journey begins against Gor Mahia.”

Pyramids currently sit top of the Egyptian Premier League with nine points. They are level on points with Al Ahly, but lead the table on goal difference.

The club’s immediate focus is their continental campaign, with Sunday’s first-leg meeting in Kenya providing the opening step in their attempt to retain their African title. Ziko’s expected return against El Gouna would meanwhile offer Pyramids another attacking option after his absence from the team’s league matches at the beginning of the season.