Pyramids squad arrive in Turkey to launch pre-season preparations for new campaign

Pyramids have landed in Turkey to begin a two-and-a-half-week pre-season training camp in Erzurum as they step up preparations for the new season.

The Egyptian club’s delegation travelled directly from Cairo on a chartered flight to the eastern Turkish city, where they will remain until 9 August before returning home.

Throughout the camp, Pyramids are scheduled to train daily in Erzurum and will play four high-profile friendly matches, with details of their opponents to be confirmed in the coming days.

Head coach Rhulani Mokwena has ordered an intensive programme starting on Friday, with the squad set to train twice a day, morning and evening, as he looks to maximise fitness levels ahead of the new campaign.

Full squad in Turkey

Pyramids have taken a large group to Turkey, covering all positions in the squad.

The goalkeepers in the travelling party are Ahmed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Gad and Zeyad Haitham.

In defence, Mokwena has called up Mahmoud Marei, Ahmed Sami, Ossama Galal, Mohamed Chibi and Mohamed Hamdy.

The midfield contingent includes Mostafa Fathy, Ahmed Tawfik, Mahmoud Saber, Mahmoud “Zalaka”, Walid El Karti, Abdel Rahman Magdy, Ahmed Atef Qetta, Awda Fakhory, Everton Da Silva, Hamed Hamdan, Pascal Ferry, Hassan Tarek, Youssef “Micho”, Ahmed Fawzy and Zeyad Saudi.

In attack, the options are Youssef “Obama” and Dodo El Gabbas.

The camp is scheduled to reach full strength from 29 July, once a number of players who were granted extended rest periods have rejoined the group.

World Cup trio rejoin later

Three Pyramids players are returning from international duty after featuring for Egypt at the 2026 World Cup.

Mostafa Zeko, Karim Hafez and Mohanad Lasheen were all part of the national team squad at the tournament and have been given additional time off before linking up with their club-mates in Turkey.