Pyramids FC head coach Rulani Mokwena has admitted that the Egyptian Premier League title is a definite target for his side who have come close to clinching it in recent seasons.
They finished second in the last two campaigns losing out to Al Ahly in 2024 and Zamalek last time out. Mokwena has enjoyed a good start with the Egyptian side unbeaten in eight outings across all competitions so far this term.
The 2024/25 CAF Champions League winners currently sit on top of the domestic league standings with 15 points from five outings, two points clear of defending champions Zamalek in second place.
Mokwena said during an online press conference with the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) that the league title and it’s sustainability is a long term target for the club and he hopes the club will achieve it with him at the helm and this season.
“It’s an important target for the club,” said Mokwena.
“It’s something that I think ultimately the club will win the Egyptian Premier League. It’s something we will definitely try to do this season. We have to push, and as I said, we believe that if we do better than last season, we should be there and thereabout. And we have this belief that we have the squad to be able to challenge for the league title.”
“The club has come very, very close in the last couple of years, and the work that’s being done by the management of the club really is work that that ultimately normally should result in this level of success. So, the type of people who are really heading the club are driving it towards this level of success. But not just to win it once, but to sustain its dominance in the Egyptian football space.”
“So, yeah, I think it will be something that the club will achieve, and we want to be part of that. We want to work to towards that, and try to do something very similar to what we did in Algeria, and hopefully it is done this season while we are here and we can help with regards to achieving this ambition.”
As far as his future plans are concerned the former Mamelodi Sundowns and MC Alger coach revealed he had offers from far and wide in the world including South America but the time to entertain them wasn’t perfect. Mokwena added that his immediate future plan is to take a break then maybe he can explore other possibilities.
“Europe and America, look, my next immediate target is to take a sabbatical,” added Mokwena.
“I want to find some time to sit a little bit and to refresh, to study the game, to travel a little bit and see what’s happening in the world. But yeah, why not? Someone asked a question before they asked if I had offers in other parts. And I’ve had some interesting approaches from many parts of the world actually in the last few years and one ought to go see how it goes.”
“At that time these type of leagues in Saudi in Kuwait in Bahrain these type of teams have spoken, have inquired, and maybe it was not really the right time. So we will see. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe you know this type of interest will develop, and but I think after a sabbatical.”
“I’m due. Coach Pitso [Mosimane] took a nice sabbatical, and you see how fresh he is, and how intense he is with the national team. So it’s good. Sometimes it’s needed. [Jurgen] Klopp took one. Look how fresh he is with the German national team and intense. [Zinedine] Zidane took one. Look how intense he is with the French national team. So it helps you as a coach to challenge your ideas, to stimulate, to work, to learn, to visit different people and develop yourself. And yeah, let’s see what the future holds.”