Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Al Ahli Saudi FC’s continental campaign began in disappointment on Tuesday as Congolese striker Fiston Mayele scored a superb hat-trick to fire Egypt’s Pyramids FC to a 3-1 win in the Afro-Asia-Pacific Cup final at King Abdullah Sports City.

Mayele struck first in the 21st minute, curling a precise shot beyond Edouard Mendy to give Pyramids the lead despite the passionate home crowd in Jeddah.

Al Ahli equalized shortly before half-time through Ivan Toney’s penalty, but goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy kept Pyramids level after the restart with two key saves from Franck Kessié.

Mayele then took command. Although one effort was ruled out for offside, he restored the visitors’ lead on 71 minutes with a clinical finish from a counterattack, before sealing his hat-trick four minutes later to put the result beyond doubt.

The victory hands Pyramids the intercontinental crown and progression in the Club Confederations Cup, setting up a Challenge Cup clash on December 13 against the winner of Cruz Azul and South America’s representative.

The winner there will meet Paris Saint-Germain in the grand final.

For Al Ahli, the 3-1 defeat is a sobering reminder of the standards required on the global stage, despite boasting talents such as Toney, Kessié, Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Mendy.