African champions Pyramids FC of Egypt secured their inaugural title in a FIFA tournament with a decisive 3-1 win over Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday night.
In an impressive display of African club football, Fiston Mayele’s hat-trick led Pyramids to victory in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, keeping them on track for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
The Cairo team, fresh off their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League win, defeated Auckland City 3-0 to reach this event.
Despite Al Ahli’s strong challenge and a supportive crowd in Jeddah, Pyramids controlled the key moments. Mayele opened the scoring in the 21st minute, but Al Ahli equalised just before halftime with a penalty from Ivan Toney.
Pyramids regrouped after the break, and Mayele scored again in the 71st minute before completing his hat-trick just four minutes later, securing the cup for the African champions.
The DR Congo forward’s finishing was crucial as Pyramids advanced to the FIFA Challenger Cup with a victory on December 13.
They will face the winner of the FIFA Derby of the Americas between Cruz Azul and the CONMEBOL Libertadores champions. The Challenger Cup winner will then meet UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Intercontinental Cup final on December 17.
This victory is historic for Pyramids and African club football, marking a continental champion’s opportunity to win a FIFA trophy and compete for a global title.
