Rulani Mokwena targets more Egypt call-ups for Pyramids players

Pyramids manager Rulani Mokwena says the club are working to increase the number of their players selected for Egypt, after his side moved top of the Egyptian Premier League with a 4-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra.

The victory came in the sixth round of the competition, with Pyramids maintaining a perfect record of six wins and moving to 18 points. Ceramica Cleopatra remain fifth on 12 points.

Pyramids did not make the ideal start after the international break, according to Mokwena, who admitted his players struggled during the opening stages.

“We were not at our best at the beginning of the first half, and we were not happy with the way we started the match,” he said through the club’s media centre. “The players suffered a little.”

The South African added: “Returning after an international break is difficult. We played a friendly and another match in the Egypt Capital Cup in an attempt to maintain continuity in our performances and transfer what we work on in training into competitive matches.”

Mokwena also outlined his ambition to see more Pyramids players involved with the national team.

“We want to have a greater number of Pyramids players in the Egypt national team, and that can be achieved through work and development,” he said.

Although Pyramids secured a convincing result, Mokwena praised the quality and understanding within the Ceramica Cleopatra team.

“We faced a very good side today,” he said. “They are playing their third season in the league with the same manager and have stability within the group. Their players move with great harmony and know each other’s movements well without needing to look at one another.”

He said that understanding had been developed over several campaigns and was supported by a consistent playing style.

“That comes from the strong cohesion and understanding they have built over different seasons,” Mokwena said. “They also have a style of play that they have become accustomed to during the past three seasons.”

Despite the difficult opening, he said the result reflected positively on his squad and the club.

“We are extremely proud of the result, and I would like to congratulate the club on the victory,” he added.

Mokwena also emphasised that his approach involves the entire squad rather than only the starting line-up.

“We have an excellent group of players, from the experienced members to the younger players,” he said. “In training, we rely on the whole squad, not only the starting team, so that everyone feels responsible and understands that they are part of the system.”

Pyramids’ goals were scored by Mostafa Ziko, Ahmed Nader, Mohannad Lasheen and Youssef Ibrahim “Obama”. Abdallah Magdy scored Ceramica Cleopatra’s only goal.

Mokwena ended by praising the club’s leadership, saying: “The team’s management must receive the credit it deserves, beginning with the club president, who worked for years to establish this foundation.”