Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly secured the services of Congolese striker Fiston Mayele from Pyramids FC for approximately R45 million. Mayele, who notably scored against Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final and amassed 41 goals during his tenure in Egypt, has signed a three-year agreement with the club.
Despite interest from Kaizer Chiefs and various Saudi clubs, Sundowns successfully acquired the 30-year-old forward.
The club finalized a deal worth €2.2 million (around R45 million) with Pyramids FC, as reported by Africa foot. Mayele is expected to depart his current club at the end of the season and join Sundowns for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
His reputation among South African fans is bolstered by his crucial goals in significant matches, and his arrival may put added pressure on the existing Sundowns forwards.
This comes at a time when Peter Shalulile performance has declined and Lebo Mothiba has faced challenges since joining in January, potentially leading to changes in Rhulani Mokwena’s attacking strategy.
Additionally, Mayele status as a foreign player could complicate matters for Sundowns, who already feature international talents such as Marcelo Allende, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, and Junior Mendieta in their squad. The club may need to deregister or loan one of these players to adhere to PSL regulations.
Although Kaizer Chiefs and several teams from the Saudi Pro League, including Al Riyadh, Al-kholood, and Al-Khaleej, were eager to sign Mayele, it was Sundowns who successfully completed the transfer, highlighting their strength in domestic signings. Mayele also showcased his abilities against Khuliso Mudau in the competitive CAF Champions League final held in Cairo.
Born in Mbuji-Mayi, DR Congo, Fiston Kalala Mayele is a 30-year-old striker celebrated for his goal-scoring prowess in high-pressure contexts. Throughout his career, he has:
- Gained recognition at AS Vita Club (DR Congo), scoring 26 goals in 42 appearances and finishing as the runner-up top scorer in the 2020/21 Linafoot.
- Excelled at Young Africans (Tanzania), where he netted 50 goals in 54 matches, clinched league titles, and was honored as the top scorer in the CAF Confederation Cup and the 2022/23 season.
- Thrived at Pyramids FC (Egypt), scoring 19 goals in his first season, which included pivotal goals in the Egypt Cup final and the CAF Champions League final against Sundowns.
On the international stage, Mayele has represented the DR Congo National Team 26 times, scoring five goals since his debut in 2021, and has consistently participated in AFCON and World Cup qualifying rounds.
Among his notable career accomplishments are:
- Over 80 career goals
- CAF Confederation Cup top scorer (2023)
- Egypt Cup champion (2024)
- CAF Champions League winner (2025)
- Multiple league titles and several Golden Boots across three different countries
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