Karim Hafez, Pyramids and Egypt international left-back, has discussed the expected competition in the Egyptian Premier League this season, stressing that matches against Al Ahly and Zamalek represent major tests for players. He also praised Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic, describing him as one of the best foreign coaches to work in Egyptian football in recent years. ⚽🇪🇬🔥
Hafez emphasized that players always try to give their best when facing Al Ahly and Zamalek because of the clubs’ huge historical and fan significance, noting that these matches can act as a gateway to Egypt’s national team.
Speaking on the “Ora League Stars” program with Ahmed El-Masry on ON Sport FM, Hafez said the competition in the league this season will not be limited to a small number of teams, but will involve many clubs aiming to reach the top positions.
Al Ahly and Zamalek Matches Can Lead to Egypt
Karim Hafez believes matches against Al Ahly and Zamalek are different from any other fixtures because of the massive pressure surrounding them.
He explained that all players try to perform at their highest level against the two giants because a strong performance in such matches can attract the attention of Egypt’s national team coaching staff.
He stressed that the competition this season will be extremely strong and fierce, and will not be limited to Al Ahly, Zamalek and Pyramids, with several other clubs also possessing major ambitions.
This level of competition gives players additional motivation to improve their performances and prove they can handle pressure. 🏆
Hafez Hopes Pyramids Win the League
Karim Hafez revealed that he hopes Pyramids win the Egyptian Premier League title this season, believing that the team have the quality required to compete strongly.
He also pointed to clubs such as Ceramica Cleopatra and ZED as teams capable of entering the race and competing for positions in the championship group.
Hafez’s comments underline his expectation that the league could feature a wide-ranging battle between several clubs rather than only the traditional big names.
Huge Praise for Jurcic
Karim Hafez spoke highly of Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic, describing him as a manager with an impressive record and a strong experience at Pyramids.
He said Jurcic achieved trophies with the club and described him as a highly professional coach, while also considering him one of the best foreign managers to have worked in the Egyptian Premier League in recent years.
Hafez’s praise was not limited to Jurcic’s technical abilities. He also emphasized that the Croatian is a highly respected person on a human level, earning the appreciation of the players who worked with him.
Communication With Jurcic Continues
Karim Hafez revealed that communication with Jurcic did not stop after the coach left Pyramids, noting that the Croatian manager continued to follow his progress with Egypt.
He explained that Jurcic stayed in contact with him during Egypt’s participation in the World Cup and congratulated him on his performances and results after each match.
The relationship reflects the strong connection that developed between coach and player during their time together at Pyramids, particularly because Hafez believes Jurcic had an important influence on the squad beyond his technical role.
Jurcic’s Temper Is One of His Main Characteristics
Karim Hafez also discussed the Croatian manager’s personality, saying that his temper was one of his most noticeable characteristics.
Hafez explained that Jurcic was not deliberately pretending to be emotional. Rather, that was simply part of his personality, something that some players did not fully understand at first.
Over time, however, the squad learned to understand his personality and deal with his emotional reactions.
His Temper Became a Source of Motivation
According to Karim Hafez, Jurcic’s emotional reactions were not always negative. They often helped provide additional motivation for the players to fight for victory.
The coach reacted strongly to what happened during matches, allowing players to understand how much he cared about details and winning.
As time passed, the squad became better at understanding his personality, turning what was initially confusing into another source of motivation.
Pyramids Have a Balanced Squad
Karim Hafez believes Pyramids have a diverse squad that combines experienced players, established members of the team, new signings and young talents.
He believes this variety provides the club with a strong foundation for competition because the squad contains players with different experiences and technical qualities.
Hafez hopes Pyramids can turn those qualities into results and trophies, emphasizing that the objective is to deliver a strong season and win additional titles.
The League Competition Is Wide Open
Hafez’s comments reflect his expectation that the Egyptian Premier League will be more competitive this season, with several clubs aiming to reach the upper positions.
Alongside Al Ahly, Zamalek and Pyramids, he believes Ceramica Cleopatra, ZED and other teams can create a strong challenge.
This could make the battle for the title and qualification to the championship group even more exciting over the coming rounds.
Karim Hafez Raises His Ambitions
Karim Hafez hopes Pyramids can continue working strongly and make the most of their squad’s different strengths to compete for trophies.
The player also wants to continue producing strong performances for Egypt, particularly because competition for places in the national team remains intense and every match offers an opportunity to prove his credentials.
Major matches against Al Ahly and Zamalek remain among the most important stages players can use to perform under the spotlight.
✨ Karim Hafez says Al Ahly and Zamalek matches represent an important pathway for players hoping to reach Egypt’s national team, praises Jurcic as one of the best foreign coaches in the Egyptian league and confirms Pyramids’ ambition to compete for the league and other trophies. 🇪🇬⚽🔥
📢 Do you agree with Karim Hafez that Al Ahly and Zamalek matches can be a pathway to Egypt’s national team? Do you consider Jurcic one of the best foreign coaches in the Egyptian Premier League? Share your opinion.
