Fiston Mayele hat-trick fires Pyramids FC past Al Ahli Saudi to win FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup

Congolese forward, Fiston Mayele Kalala, was unplayable on Tuesday evening, bagging a sensational hat-trick to fire Pyramids FC to defeat Al Ahli Saudi 3-1 to clinch the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup trophy.

The match played at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah saw the CAF Champions League winners taking on the Asian champions to battle for glory.

Backed by a packed home crowd in green, Al Ahli looked to dominate, but Mayele and his teammates had other ideas.

After Edouard Mendy denied Pyramids with a string of saves early on, Mayele broke the deadlock, finishing off a neat move that saw Mohanad Lasheen dispossess Franck Kessié before Blati Touré slipped him through on goal. Al Ahli equalised from the penalty spot through Ivan Toney after Enzo Millot was fouled in the box, but Mayele was far from done.

The Congolese forward restored Pyramids’ lead just past the hour mark, latching onto a long ball and converting Mahmoud Zalaka’s precise cross at the near post. He sealed his hat-trick late on, pouncing on a rebound after Mendy had initially parried his shot, sparking wild celebrations from the Egyptian side.

Al Ahli created chances of their own, with Riyad Mahrez and Millot causing problems, but goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy stood firm to preserve Pyramids’ advantage.

With the win, Pyramids FC now advance to the FIFA Challenger Cup 2025, where they will face Mexico’s Cruz Azul or the eventual Copa Libertadores champions on December 13.

The victor of that clash will earn a date with Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025.