PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Fiston Mayele Kalala |
| Date of Birth | 24/06/1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Mbuji-Mayi, DR Congo |
| Nationality | DR Congolese |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 73 kg |
| Position | Forward / Striker |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #9 (Pyramids) |
| Current Club | Pyramids FC |
| Previous Clubs | AS Vita Club, Young Africans |
| International Caps | 16+ |
| International Goals | 3+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | €2M |
The Frozen Moment
Atlanta, Georgia. June 27, 2026. DR Congo were trailing Uzbekistan 1-0, and their World Cup dream was slipping away. After 52 years of waiting, the Leopards faced elimination in their first tournament since 1974.
Then came Fiston Mayele. In the 78th minute, the 32-year-old striker flicked the ball past the Uzbek goalkeeper at the near post, sparking wild celebrations. His goal completed a stunning second-half turnaround, with Yoane Wissa adding two more to secure a 3-1 victory. DR Congo had not only won their first-ever World Cup match but had also advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
“It’s really historic for our country, Congo,” Mayele said after the game. “It’s the first win and the first knockout stage. Today, I have to be proud here, and almost everywhere in my country, everyone is happy with what we did. We’re proud to be Congolese, and I think we will keep going.”
For the boy from Mbuji-Mayi who had started his career in the Congolese league, those 78 minutes against Uzbekistan were the culmination of a journey defined by perseverance, consistency, and a refusal to give up.
Origins
Born on June 24, 1994, in Mbuji-Mayi, DR Congo, Fiston Mayele’s football journey began in his homeland. He started his senior career with AS Vita Club in the Congolese Ligue 1, where he made over 43 appearances across three seasons. His performances in the domestic league helped AS Vita Club finish as runners-up in the 2019/20 season.
His consistency in front of goal and physical presence—standing at 185 cm—made him a formidable striker in African football.
The European Forge
AS Vita Club (2018-2021):
Mayele’s professional career began at AS Vita Club in DR Congo. He made 43 appearances across three seasons, establishing himself as a reliable goalscorer in the Congolese Ligue 1. He helped the club secure a runners-up finish in the 2019/20 season.
Young Africans (2021-2023):
In August 2021, Mayele moved to Tanzanian giants Young Africans. He made 30 appearances across two seasons, scoring 17 goals. His most productive campaign came in the 2022/23 season, where he recorded 18 goals in 13 league appearances, helping Young Africans win the Tanzania Premier League title. His performances also helped the club win the CAF Confederation Cup in 2022/23.
Pyramids FC (2023-Present):
In July 2023, Mayele moved to Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC. The 2023/24 season was his most productive in Egypt: he made 27 league appearances, scored 14 goals, and provided 4 assists. He was instrumental in helping Pyramids win the Egypt Cup in 2023/24. He also contributed to the club’s CAF Champions League triumph in 2024/25, adding a continental trophy to his collection.
The 2024/25 season saw him make 13 league appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 1 assist. In the 2025/26 season, he made 16 league appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist. Across all competitions for Pyramids, he has made over 60 appearances.
He was also part of the Pyramids squad that won the CAF Super Cup in 2025/26.
DR Congo National Team (2023-Present):
Mayele made his senior debut for DR Congo during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, where he scored 2 goals in 4 qualifying appearances. He was selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, making 4 appearances (1 start). He also featured in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, making 4 appearances (1 start).
The World Cup Campaign:
Mayele played a key role in DR Congo’s historic World Cup qualification campaign. He featured in 2 World Cup qualifying matches. He was named in Sébastien Desabre’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, one of the star forwards in the squad alongside Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa.
At the World Cup finals, Mayele made 2 substitute appearances, playing 40 minutes of tournament football. He scored DR Congo’s second goal in the historic 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan. The victory secured DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup win and their first-ever progression to the knockout stage. They were eliminated in the Round of 32 by England.
International Record:
Mayele has earned 16+ caps for DR Congo across international competitions. He has scored 3+ international goals, including 2 in AFCON qualifying and 1 in the World Cup finals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Fiston Mayele is a physical, right-footed striker known for his strength, aerial ability, and eye for goal. Standing at 185 cm and weighing 73 kg, he is a formidable presence in the penalty area.
In Possession:
Mayele is a composed finisher capable of scoring from close range. In the 2025/26 Egyptian Premier League season, he recorded 5 goals and 2 assists in 24 appearances. Across his career, he has been a consistent goalscorer, with his most productive seasons at Young Africans (18 goals in 2022/23) and Pyramids (14 goals in 2023/24). In international competitions, he has scored 3 goals across 16 appearances. At the World Cup, he recorded 1 goal and 1 shot on target, with a 63.6% pass completion rate.
Out of Possession:
Mayele contributes to defensive phases with work rate and physicality. At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he averaged 1.3 shots and 0.8 aerial duels won per game. He has the physical presence to hold up play and bring teammates into attacking positions. He has never received a yellow or red card in international competitions.
Psychological Edge:
Mayele’s mental resilience was on full display in the World Cup match against Uzbekistan. As he said after the game: “We told ourselves we can’t give up.” His journey from the Congolese league to the World Cup, via Tanzania and Egypt, reflects his determination to succeed. He has won titles in three different African countries—DR Congo, Tanzania, and Egypt—demonstrating his adaptability and winning mentality.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian Premier League | 24 | 1,597 | 5 | 2 | — |
| Egypt Cup | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Egyptian Super Cup | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 2 (0/2) | 40 | 1 | 0 | 63.6% |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season/Period | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2021 | AS Vita Club | Congolese Ligue 1 | 43 | — |
| 2021-2023 | Young Africans | Tanzania Premier League | 30 | 17 |
| 2023-Present | Pyramids FC | Egyptian Premier League | 60+ | 25+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | 133+ | 42+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 (0/2) | 40 | 1 | Round of 32 |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | 4 (1/3) | 150 | 0 | — |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2023 | 4 (1/3) | 169 | 0 | — |
| AFCON Qualifying 2023 | 4 | 62 | 2 | — |
| WC Qualifying 2026 | 2 | 16 | 0 | Qualified |
| DR Congo Senior Career | 16+ | — | 3+ | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | AS Vita Club Debut | Congolese Ligue 1 |
| 2021 | Young Africans Transfer | Move to Tanzania |
| 2022/23 | Tanzania Premier League Winner | Young Africans |
| 2022/23 | CAF Confederation Cup Winner | Young Africans |
| 2023 | International Debut | DR Congo senior team |
| 2023 | Pyramids FC Transfer | Move to Egypt |
| 2023/24 | Egypt Cup Winner | Pyramids FC |
| 2024/25 | CAF Champions League Winner | Pyramids FC |
| 2025/26 | CAF Super Cup Winner | Pyramids FC |
| 2026 | World Cup Goal Scorer | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent goalscorer across three different African leagues. Mayele has made over 130 senior club appearances and scored over 40 goals, with his most productive seasons coming in Tanzania (18 goals in 2022/23) and Egypt (14 goals in 2023/24). He has scored at every level he has played, including in the World Cup finals, where he became a national hero.
The Present Tense
Fiston Mayele is 32 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a Pyramids FC player, a World Cup goalscorer, and a national hero in DR Congo.
The Pyramids Story:
Mayele joined Pyramids in 2023 and has been a consistent contributor. In the 2025/26 season, he made 24 league appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists. He has won the Egypt Cup (2023/24), the CAF Champions League (2024/25), and the CAF Super Cup (2025/26) with the club.
The World Cup Campaign:
Mayele was one of DR Congo’s heroes at the 2026 World Cup. He scored the second goal in the historic 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan that secured the Leopards’ first-ever World Cup win and their first-ever knockout stage qualification. He made two substitute appearances, playing 40 minutes.
International Record:
Mayele has earned 16+ caps for DR Congo, scoring 3+ international goals. He has featured in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and one World Cup finals.
The Future:
Following his World Cup heroics, Mayele will continue his career at Pyramids FC, where he is under contract. His performances have cemented his legacy as one of DR Congo’s most important forwards.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Fiston Mayele is defined by his journey from Mbuji-Mayi to the World Cup. Born in DR Congo’s second-largest city, he rose through the ranks of Congolese football to become a national hero.
His international debut came in 2023, and he made an immediate impact, scoring 2 goals in 4 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. His decision to represent DR Congo at a time when many African players choose European nations reflects his pride in his heritage.
Mayele has been a consistent goalscorer at every level he has played. He has won titles in three different African countries—DR Congo, Tanzania, and Egypt—demonstrating his adaptability and winning mentality. His trophy cabinet includes the Tanzania Premier League, the CAF Confederation Cup, the Egypt Cup, the CAF Champions League, and the CAF Super Cup.
His words after the Uzbekistan match captured his pride in representing his country: “We’re proud to be Congolese, and I think we will keep going.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Fiston Mayele, DR Congo international:
“We told ourselves we can’t give up.”
“It’s really historic for our country, Congo. It’s the first win and the first knockout stage. Today, I have to be proud here, and almost everywhere in my country, everyone is happy with what we did. We’re proud to be Congolese, and I think we will keep going.”
Sébastien Desabre, DR Congo head coach:
Desabre named Mayele in DR Congo’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, trusting him as a key attacking option alongside Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa.
Statistic:
Mayele scored DR Congo’s second goal in the historic 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, securing the country’s first-ever World Cup win.
Statistic:
Mayele has made 16 appearances for DR Congo, scoring 3 international goals.
Statistic:
Mayele has won five club trophies across three African countries: Tanzania Premier League, CAF Confederation Cup, Egypt Cup, CAF Champions League, and CAF Super Cup.
Where Next?
Fiston Mayele is 32 years old and has cemented his legacy as a national hero for DR Congo. He is under contract with Pyramids FC in Egypt and will continue to play for the club in the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Champions League. His experience and goalscoring ability make him a valuable asset for the team.
For DR Congo, Mayele is a symbol of the country’s footballing resurgence. After 52 years of waiting, he helped the Leopards win their first World Cup match and reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, he could continue to represent his country and add to his legacy.
From Mbuji-Mayi to the World Cup, from AS Vita Club to Pyramids FC, Fiston Mayele’s journey is one of perseverance, consistency, and the triumph of ambition over circumstance. The boy who started his career in the Congolese league has become a World Cup goalscorer and a national hero—and his story is far from over.
