Rhulani Mokwena says Pyramids midfielder Mohanad Lasheen has the ability to play for Real Madrid, despite suggesting the Egypt international may have been better placed to reach that level earlier in his career.
The South African manager made the remarks after Pyramids defeated Al Masry 1-0 in the third round of the Egyptian Premier League. The result maintained Pyramids’ perfect start to the season and sent them to the top of the table with nine points from three matches.
Speaking after the game, Mokwena highlighted what he considers Lasheen’s exceptional qualities before delivering his most striking assessment of the midfielder.
“Lasheen is a wonderful player, he can play for Real Madrid, maybe if he were younger,” Mokwena said.
The manager’s comments came after a strong opening run for Pyramids, who have won all three of their league fixtures. Their latest victory over Al Masry was enough to preserve their 100% record and keep them clear at the summit on maximum points.
Lasheen was not the only Pyramids player to receive public recognition from Mokwena. The coach described goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy as “an amazing goalkeeper” who does not make mistakes.
Mokwena also praised the defensive partnership of Ahmed Samy and Mahmoud Marei, calling them the best centre-back pairing in the Egyptian Premier League. He singled out their ability to begin attacks from deep and move the ball out from the back as key strengths.
The South African questioned why Samy and Marei have not been selected for the Egypt national team, directing a clear message towards the coaching staff led by Hossam Hassan.
Morocco international Mohamed Chibi was also included among Mokwena’s list of the league’s leading players. However, it was Lasheen who received the most notable endorsement, with the Pyramids manager suggesting that his technical ability could allow him to compete beyond the level of domestic football.
Lasheen has considerable international experience with Egypt and was an important member of the squad during the Pharaohs’ World Cup campaign. He was part of the generation that reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Argentina in a dramatic encounter.
Mokwena’s comments therefore placed the midfielder’s talents in a global context, even though his reference to Lasheen’s age indicated that he believes the player might have had an even greater opportunity to reach one of the world’s biggest clubs earlier in his career.
