Al-Ahli Saudi Vs Pyramids: Mayele’s hat-trick seals historic FIFA victory

JEDDAH: Fiston Mayele produced a sensational hat-trick to fire Egypt’s Pyramids FC to their first-ever FIFA title, as the African champions defeated Saudi giants Al-Ahli 3-1 in front of a sold-out King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday night.

In a pulsating final of the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, Mayele’s clinical finishing made the difference, securing both silverware and a place in December’s FIFA Challenger Cup for the Cairo-based club. The win marks a major milestone for Pyramids FC, who just last season lifted their maiden CAF Champions League title.

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The Egyptian side entered the match full of confidence, having brushed aside Oceania champions Auckland City 3-0 in Cairo earlier this month. But Tuesday night presented a different challenge, facing the AFC champions on their home turf, with over 60,000 fans packed into the stadium in Jeddah.

Pyramids started brightly and created the better early chances, rewarded in the 21st minute when Mayele slotted home a composed low finish past Al-Ahli goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The DR Congo striker looked set to double the lead shortly before halftime, but his near-post effort found only the side netting.

Al-Ahli struck back just before the interval, with Ivan Toney converting a penalty to bring the Saudi side level and lift the home crowd’s spirits. But Pyramids’ response after the break was emphatic.

With the midfield duo of Ramadan Sobhi and Mohanad Lasheen dictating tempo, the Egyptian champions took control. Mayele restored the lead in the 71st minute with a sharp finish from inside the box, and just four minutes later, he completed his hat-trick, finishing off a swift counterattack to seal the victory.

The win sends Pyramids into the FIFA Challenger Cup on Saturday, 13 December, where they will meet the winners of the upcoming “Derby of the Americas” – a clash between Mexico’s Cruz Azul and the soon-to-be-crowned CONMEBOL Libertadores champions.

The victor of the Challenger Cup will then face Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners, in the Intercontinental Cup final on 17 December. Both December fixtures will have venues announced in the coming weeks.

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For Pyramids FC, this night wasn’t just about a trophy – it was a bold statement. A club barely a decade old, beating one of Asia’s giants away from home, lifting a FIFA title, and keeping the dream of global glory alive. It was also a proud moment for African football, showcasing the continent’s strength on the world stage.