JEDDAH; Egypt’s Pyramids landed the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup after beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 3-1 in front of a capacity crowd at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, thanks to a magnificent hat-trick from Fiston Mayele.

This was the second of four matches on the road to the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the year-old competition that enables the champions of all six confederations to compete on the global stage each year.

CAF Champions League holders Pyramids had booked their spot in this stage after beating Auckland City 3-0vin the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Play-Off in Cairo on September 14.

Al Ahli had progressed by winning the AFC Champions League Elite, the Jeddah-based club’s first continental crown.

Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 21 minutes with a low shot past Édouard Mendy in the Al Ahli goal. The DR Congo international had a great chance to make it 2-0 as half-time approached but struck the ball into the side-netting from close range.

Moments later, on the stroke of half-time, the tie was level thanks to an Ivan Toney penalty. However, the hosts were unable to build on the momentum the equaliser gave them, and Mayele struck again in the 71 and 75 minute to retake the lead and secure the trophy for the Egyptian side.

Victory means that Pyramids have booked their berth in the FIFA Challenger Cup, which is to be contested on Saturday, December 13. The Egyptian side will take on the winners of the FIFA Derby of the Americas, to be played on Wednesday, December 10 between CONCACAF Champions Cup holders Cruz Azul and the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions who will be determined on November 29 – for a place in the final.

Winners of the FIFA Challenger Cup will face Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, December 17, for the right to be crowned FIFA Intercontinental Cup winners.

The venue of the FIFA Derby of the Americas, the FIFA Challenger Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final will be announced in due course.

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