Rich African club appoints Rulani Mokwena

Rulani Mokwena is set to become the new head coach of Pyramids FC after leaving Al Ittihad Tripoli just seven months into his tenure. According to Mazola Molefe of SABC Sport, the 39-year-old has agreed to take charge of the reigning CAF Champions League winners ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The appointment marks another major chapter in Mokwena’s coaching career after previous spells with Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Athletic Club and MC Alger. He now joins one of Africa’s fastest-growing clubs, which recently lifted their first-ever CAF Champions League title.

The club has often been refered to as the Sundowns or Manchester City of Egypt.

PYRAMIDS FC APPOINT RULANI MOKWENA

According to Mazola Molefe of SABC Sport, Mokwena’s move is expected to be confirmed officially by the Egyptian club soon.

Molefe reported: “SABC Sport can confirm that Rulani Mokwena has been appointed head coach of Egyptian giants Pyramids FC ahead of the 2026/27 season, following his recent departure from Al Ittihad Tripoli in Libya.”

The report also explained why Mokwena’s stay in Libya came to an early end.

“The 39-year-old leaves the Libyan side after just seven months, having exited amid differences over the club’s transfer policy and long-term strategy. As previously reported by the public broadcaster, Mokwena believed promises made regarding recruitment and the club’s sporting project could no longer be fulfilled,” Molefe wrote.

BIG EXPECTATIONS AWAIT

According to Molefe, Pyramids FC had monitored Mokwena for the past two years. The Egyptian club first showed interest after his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns and revisited the move following his spell with Wydad Athletic Club.

Instead, Mokwena joined MC Alger, where he guided the club to the top of the Algerian Ligue 1 before leaving prior to the end of the season. He now replaces Krunoslav Jurčić, who led Pyramids to the 2024/25 CAF Champions League title and enjoyed further domestic success during his time in charge.

Pyramids FC was founded in 2008 as Al Assiouty Sport. The club earned promotion to the Egyptian Premier League for the first time in 2014.

A major turning point came in 2018 when Turki Al-Sheikh bought the club. He rebranded the team, moved it to Cairo and invested heavily in new players. Salem Al Shamsi took over ownership a year later to continue the club’s long-term growth.

The club has since become one of Africa’s biggest clubs. They lifted the 2024 Egypt Cup, their first major trophy. They then made history by winning the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.

Mokwena now inherits one of the continent’s top teams. He will be expected to build on that success while competing with Al Ahly and Zamalek for domestic and continental honours.