Rulani Mokwena Confirmed as Pyramids FC Head Coach After Al Ittihad Exit
Rulani Mokwena’s next challenge is officially underway.
Egyptian heavyweights Pyramids FC have confirmed the appointment of the South African tactician as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season, ending days of speculation about his future and handing one of Africa’s brightest coaching minds another opportunity to compete at the highest level.
The club announced Mokwena’s arrival on Friday with a brief but meaningful message that captured the significance of the moment: “Welcome to your new home.”
For Mokwena, the move marks the beginning of another defining chapter in a coaching career that has already attracted attention across the continent. At just 39, he now takes charge of a club with growing ambitions and mounting expectations after replacing Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić.
Jurčić leaves behind an impressive legacy, having guided Pyramids FC to CAF Champions League glory two seasons ago and helping establish the Egyptian side as one of the continent’s emerging football powers.
Mokwena’s appointment comes only days after his departure from Libyan giants Al Ittihad, where his stay ended far sooner than many expected.
Despite determined efforts by the club’s president and senior officials to persuade him to remain in Libya, Mokwena stood firm. His resignation was final.
Sources familiar with the situation say the South African coach became increasingly frustrated after several commitments made before his arrival were not honoured.
He had reportedly been promised significant investment in the squad to mount a serious challenge for the Libyan Premier League title and secure qualification for the CAF Champions League.
Those plans never materialised.
Several key transfer targets, including Fiston Mayele, Jean Claude Girumugisha and Feisal Salum, were not secured. Instead, domestic rivals Al Ahli Tripoli succeeded in signing some of the players Al Ittihad had hoped would strengthen their squad.
The failed recruitment drive is understood to have played a decisive role in Mokwena’s decision to walk away.
Throughout his time at Al Ittihad, Mokwena is believed to have consistently emphasised that clubs aiming for continental success must first dominate the local transfer market before looking abroad. He often pointed to recruitment strategies employed by Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns as proven models for sustained success in African football.
Even after repeated attempts to convince him to reconsider, Mokwena remained committed to leaving.
His destination is one of Africa’s most ambitious clubs.
At Pyramids FC, expectations will be immediate and demanding. The Egyptian side will expect Mokwena to compete for domestic silverware, challenge for the CAF Champions League title and continue building a squad capable of consistently competing among Africa’s elite.
The long term vision extends even further, with preparations already focused on developing a team capable of competing in the expanded 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Before completing his move, Mokwena spent several days on holiday in Tanzania before travelling to Egypt to finalise the agreement.
Now, with the contract signed and the announcement made, attention turns to what comes next.
For one of South Africa’s most respected young coaches, another opportunity to shape African football has arrived. This time, the stage is Egypt, where expectations are enormous and success will be measured not only by trophies, but by whether he can turn Pyramids FC into a lasting continental force.
