Pyramids’ Hany Said rejects transfer rumours and targets Egyptian Premier League title

Pyramids director of football Hany Said says the club’s strong start to the season will only matter if they can maintain their form, while dismissing reports linking the team with Mohamed Hany and suggesting Mahend Lasheen and Mahmoud Marei could leave for Al Ahly.

Pyramids are top of the Egyptian Premier League with 18 points, two clear of Al Ahly, and are the only side yet to drop points this season. They also have the division’s best attacking and defensive records, having scored 13 goals and conceded two.

Speaking to Al Nahar TV, Said said the club’s ambitions extended across every competition available to them.

“Pyramids’ good start is very important, but what matters more is continuing in the same way so that we can benefit from it,” he said.

“Our ambition has been high from the first day, and that is our legitimate right. Hopefully, we can continue like this and compete for every possible title.”

Said acknowledged that the demands on the squad would increase as the season moved into decisive matches. He said Pyramids had enough quality in their squad to allow the manager to rotate his players effectively.

“The challenges become greater with the pressure of crucial games, so we have a large number of outstanding players for the coach to rotate the squad well,” he added.

League title remains a key objective

Asked about Pyramids’ attempts to win the Egyptian Premier League, Said said the club had previously come close to the title and had also experienced circumstances that prevented them from securing it.

“We were indeed close to winning the league in two seasons. In another season, we actually won the title, but because of circumstances beyond our control, we did not achieve it,” he said.

“I do not want to go into old matters, but they are known to everyone. We will try to overcome the circumstances around us.”

Said also denied that Pyramids were negotiating to sign Mohamed Hany, whose name has been linked with a move to the club.

“Pyramids’ name is always linked with any player whose contract with his team is ending, with all due respect to those players because they are excellent, international players and would be an addition to any team,” he said.

“But Pyramids already have plenty of options at right-back, and what is being said about signing any player is not true.”

He further insisted that Mahend Lasheen and Mahmoud Marei remained Pyramids players, despite reports connecting both with Al Ahly.

“The two players are continuing with us normally, and their contracts with the team are still valid. They will not expire at the end of the current season as has been claimed,” Said said.

Asked which trophy he most wanted to win this season, Said selected the CAF Champions League, describing it as a continental title that would provide qualification for the African Super Cup and the World Cup for federations. However, he added that he also hoped to win the league because it is the trophy missing from Pyramids’ honours.