South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns continued their impressive run on the international stage after defeating Saudi Arabian side and AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday to win the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
Portuguese forward Nuno Santos was the hero for the African champions, scoring twice to settle a closely contested encounter and move Sundowns one step closer to a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The victory also underlined Sundowns’ status as representatives of Africa after they qualified for the tournament as CAF Champions League winners. Al Ahli entered the fixture as AFC Champions League Elite champions after first defeating Auckland FC 1-0 in the opening African-Asian-Pacific play-off.
Sundowns made the brighter start and took the lead in the 17th minute. Teboho Mokoena delivered an inviting in-swinging cross into the penalty area, and Santos rose above the Al Ahli defence to power a header beyond Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
It was Santos’ first goal of the 2026/27 campaign after he finished the previous season with five goals and 11 assists.
The lead, however, lasted only two minutes.
Al Ahli responded immediately when England international Ivan Toney advanced down the left before sending a low delivery towards Firas Al Buraikan. The forward’s effort was initially kept out by Ronwen Williams, but the ball rebounded off the Sundowns goalkeeper and crossed the line for an own goal.
Sundowns Hold Their Nerve
The equaliser gave Al Ahli renewed confidence, and the Saudi side created several opportunities before the break. Francisco Trincao went close on more than one occasion, while Sundowns also threatened at the other end as both teams looked to regain control.
Al Ahli appeared to have a chance to move ahead when they were awarded a penalty after Toney went down following a challenge from Williams. However, the decision was overturned after Toney was ruled offside in the build-up.
The contest remained finely balanced after the interval, with neither side able to establish sustained control.
Sundowns came close to restoring their advantage when Khulumani Ndamane headed an Aubrey Modiba free-kick over the crossbar from close range.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute, and Santos was again at the centre of it.
Debutant Thabang Matuludi delivered a cross into the area, and Santos attacked the ball with a diving header to beat Mendy for the second time and complete his brace.
Al Ahli pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but Sundowns protected their advantage through the closing stages to claim a significant victory.
Sundowns March On
The result sends Sundowns into the next phase, where they will face the winner of the FIFA Derby of the Americas between Concacaf Champions Cup holders Toluca and the 2026 Copa Libertadores champions. The South American representative will only be confirmed after the Libertadores final on November 28.
The winner of that encounter will meet Sundowns in the FIFA Challenger Cup. Victory there would earn a place in the Intercontinental Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning European champions and defending Intercontinental Cup holders. FIFA has yet to confirm the venue and dates for the final stages.
The current competition format brings together the champions of FIFA’s six confederations across a series of stages, replacing the previous annual club world championship format with a pathway that culminates in a single final.
Paris Saint-Germain won the 2025 edition, defeating Flamengo in the final. The French club received $5 million in prize money, while Flamengo earned $4 million as runners-up and Egyptian side Pyramids FC received $2 million after their Challenger Cup elimination.
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