Mayele shines as Pyramids begin CAF Champions League title defence with victory
PRETORIA: Star striker Fiston Mayele scored twice as defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt opened their CAF Champions League campaign with a 2-0 away win over Rwanda’s APR in Kigali on Wednesday.
The Congolese forward found the net in the 50th and 86th minutes of the first-round, first-leg qualifier, held at a stadium named in honour of the late Brazilian football legend Pelé.
Both goals came as a result of sloppy passing by the home side, and the result puts Pyramids in a commanding position ahead of the return leg in Cairo this Sunday.
Mayele, last season’s top scorer in Africa’s premier club competition with nine goals, showcased his sharp finishing once again. He broke the deadlock with a powerful shot at the near post after shrugging off three defenders, and sealed the win with a precise low strike into the far corner following a well-timed pass from Abdelrahman Magdy.
Magdy played a key role in both goals, providing the assist for each.
This marks the third consecutive season the two clubs have met in the Champions League qualifiers, with Pyramids emerging victorious on aggregate in both previous encounters — 6-1 in 2023 and 4-2 in 2024.
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Pyramids or APR will face Insurance FC of Ethiopia in the second and final qualifying round. The first leg is scheduled between October 17 and 19, with the return match the following weekend.
