Having enjoyed a brilliant season with Young Africans (Tanzania), Fiston Mayele, the striker for DR Congo's Leopards, is undoubtedly the most sought-after African player on the continent. At last count, Egyptian club Pyramids FC seem to be the best placed.
Fiston Mayele (29) is still in Dar Es Salaam, where he is training on his own while awaiting the outcome of his very likely transfer.The Congolese striker (5 caps, 1 goal) is still linked to Young Africans, and more precisely until June 30, but his intention is to leave Tanzania, where he arrived in 2021 from AS Vita Club.In his two seasons at Yanga, the Mbuji-Mayi native has scored many goals and won numerous titles, including the league and cup in 2022-2023. He scored 16 goals in the league, a few more in the Cup, and 14 on the continental stage, where he reached the CAF Cup final against Algerian side USM Alger (1-2, 1-0).
A player in demand
His performances have of course earned him growing interest from a number of African clubs, as well as Asian ones, especially from Saudi Arabia. Esperance Tunis, Mouloudia Club d'Alger and clubs in South Africa have also approached the player's representatives, who are determined to try their luck in a more competitive league than Tanzania. The Young Africans, who had hinted that they would grant their striker a release, are keen to recover a transfer fee from the deal, and this is likely to be no less than 1 million euros, potentially accompanied by the inevitable bonuses. They have also made an offer to Fiston Mayele, proposing a pay rise. The Congolese player earns around 10,000 euros a month, excluding bonuses and benefits, and Young Africans are prepared to increase his monthly emoluments by 50% to 15,000. A substantial sum for a player who earned just over 1,000 euros a month at Vita Club, but obviously less than what he could expect elsewhere.
Pyramids FC best placed
In recent days, Fiston Mayele has been the subject of intense interest from two Egyptian clubs, Pyramids FC - above all - Zamalek. The former, who finished second in the local Premier League, will be competing in the forthcoming Champions League. An argument that could tip the balance in favour of the Cairo club. But another contender has recently emerged, and not just any contender: Zamalek. The Giza giants will "only" play in the CAF Cup in 2023-2024, but they too have solid sporting and financial arguments, as well as societal ones, since they are, along with Al-Ahly, the most popular club in the country. In Egypt, Mayele could see his current salary multiplied by six or seven, something few other African clubs can offer him.According to our information, the striker has given his preference to Pyramids FC.But he will also have to wait for Young Africans to reach an agreement with the club that really wants to sign him.
