Fiston Mayele targets success at Al Ahli Tripoli after World Cup breakthrough

Fiston Mayele marked his first appearance for Al Ahli Tripoli with a goal as the Libyan club opened their CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a 3-0 away win against Zanzibar champions KM.

The Congolese forward scored in the first leg of the preliminary first round, helping Al Ahli Tripoli take a commanding advantage into the return match.

“First of all, praise be to God that we achieved victory in a match that was not easy,” Mayele told reporters.

The Libyan league has yet to begin, meaning Al Ahli Tripoli entered the tie without the benefit of competitive domestic matches. Mayele acknowledged that the lack of match sharpness created difficulties, but said the team showed enough determination to secure an important result.

“The Libyan league has not started yet, so we faced some difficulties, but we managed to fight and score goals, and in the end we achieved an important victory,” he added.

Mayele joined Al Ahli Tripoli during the summer transfer window after leaving Pyramids at the end of his contract. He said he was delighted to score so quickly for his new club and is now focused on helping them achieve their objectives.

“I am very happy to score, and I want to achieve success with my new team after fulfilling one of my biggest dreams by representing my country and scoring in the World Cup,” he said.

Al Ahli Tripoli won the Libyan Cup last season under manager Hossam El Badry. Their squad also includes former ENPPI player Mostafa Shakshouk, as well as Fakhri Lakay, Blati Toure and Ishak Yakubu.

Mayele enjoyed an impressive first season with Pyramids, scoring 21 goals in 41 appearances and providing five assists. His goal tally fell to 18 in his second campaign, although he also recorded two assists and played a decisive role in the club’s most significant domestic achievement at that stage.

On 30 August 2024, Mayele scored the only goal in the Egyptian Cup final against ZED, giving Pyramids the first official trophy in their history.

He also produced a landmark performance in the final of the CAF Champions League in the season before last. Mayele opened the scoring in the second leg against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, with Pyramids eventually winning 2-1.

That victory secured Pyramids’ first continental title after they prevailed 3-2 on aggregate. Mayele finished the competition as its leading scorer with six goals, further establishing his reputation as one of Africa’s most prominent forwards.

In his third season, Mayele scored 11 goals in 41 matches and helped Pyramids win the Egyptian Cup and the Three Continents Cup (Intercontinental). His move to Al Ahli Tripoli now offers him a new challenge as he aims to continue his scoring form in Libya and in African competition.