Mokwena’s No.9 Hunt Reaches its Conclusion
Reports from Algeria and Egypt confirm that the Cairo club have agreed a fee of approximately $3.5 million with Hungarian side Gyori ETO. The 26-year-old has already begun his medical examinations. Completion is expected shortly, after which he will put pen to paper on a contract in Cairo.
Head coach Rulani Mokwena has pursued a specialist striker since the summer window opened. The arrival of Ben Bouali signals that Pyramids have found their answer. At 26 and an Algerian international, he enters the Egyptian top flight in the prime of his career.
Filling the Gap Left by Mayele
Fiston Mayele’s departure last season left Pyramids without their most clinical attacker. Mayele had been the club’s leading scorer and focal point in attack. His exit created a void that Mokwena moved quickly to address. The club brought in former Al Ahly attacker Ahmed Abdelkader to add depth. That signing, however, did not fill the specialist centre-forward role Mokwena sought.
Ben Bouali offers something different. He is a powerful, mobile striker with a sharp instinct inside the penalty area. His performances for Gyori ETO last season established him as one of the Hungarian league’s more dangerous forwards. Pyramids’ recruitment team identified him as the right profile — foreign, proven, and hungry for a bigger stage.
What Does This Deal Mean for Pyramids’ Title Ambitions?
A $3.5 million outlay on a centre-forward is a statement of intent. Pyramids have built steadily over recent seasons. They now position themselves as genuine challengers to Al Ahly and Zamalek for Egyptian Premier League supremacy.
Mokwena’s project in Egypt has drawn attention across the continent. South African football observers have tracked his progress closely since he moved to Cairo. This signing ranks among his most significant attacking decisions since taking charge. For Algerian fans, Ben Bouali becomes another of their forwards stepping into a major Arab league — immediately under pressure to deliver results.
The Egyptian Premier League has grown in profile and financial weight over the past three years. Clubs are spending more, attracting higher-calibre players from European leagues, and building competitive squads. Pyramids’ willingness to pay $3.5 million for a striker from Hungary reflects that upward trajectory. As one analyst tracking North African football put it: “Pyramids are no longer shopping in the margins — they are competing for the same players European mid-table clubs want.”
The Final Hurdle Before the Unveiling
The medical and paperwork remain the last steps. Once cleared, Pyramids will officially present their new No.9 to supporters. The 2026/27 Egyptian Premier League season will then provide the ultimate measure. Investors and supporters alike will watch whether Ben Bouali can convert his Hungarian form into goals under the floodlights of the 30 June Stadium — and whether Pyramids can sustain a title challenge from first whistle to last.
Quick answers
Pyramids FC have agreed a fee of approximately $3.5 million with Hungarian club Gyori ETO for the 26-year-old Algerian striker.
Fiston Mayele, Pyramids’ leading scorer last season, departed the club, leaving a specialist centre-forward vacancy that head coach Rulani Mokwena sought to fill urgently.
Ben Bouali has begun his medical examinations in Cairo. Once completed, he is expected to sign his contract and be officially presented as a Pyramids FC player.
