CAF Champions League: Mayele lifts Pyramids FC to first leg victory

Defending CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC began their 2025-26 continental campaign with a 2-0 first leg victory over Rwanda’s APR FC in Kigali on Wednesday.

Congolese striker Fiston Mayele struck twice in the second half to help the Cairo club take a big step towards victory in the first round. The first half featured a cautious approach from favorites Pyramids with few opportunities for either team.

After halftime, an outstanding individual effort from Mayele in the 49th minute sparked the match into life. A turnover from APR in their own half allowed the striker to drive towards goal on the right wing. With two defenders challenging him, Mayele unleashed a firm strike into the roof of the net past APR goalkeeper Pierre Ishimwe.

The hosts needed to push forward after conceding and observers were rewarded with a more exciting match. The two teams exchanged opportunities with Pyramids keeper Ahmed El Shenawy producing a couple of excellent saves against a more adventurous and ambitious APR side. APR also had a goal disallowed when substitute Amadou Sy fired past El Shenawy but was judged to be offsides.

Despite causing danger for the Pyramids defense, Mayele displayed his efficient finishing once again to put the match away in the 86th minute with a powerful strike after receiving a pass from Abdelrahman Magdi.

The two teams will meet for the second leg in Cairo on Sunday, where Pyramids are heavy favorites to advance to the final stage of qualifying. The winner will face Ethiopian Insurance with a place in the group stage at stake.