Al Ahli coach Marino Pusic plays down Sundowns clash ahead of Intercontinental Cup

Al Ahli head coach Marino Pusic says his immediate focus remains on the next game despite his side being drawn against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The Saudi Arabian giants booked their place in the next round after edging New Zealand club Auckland FC 1-0 on Wednesday.

Al Ahli, who won the AFC Champions League, will now travel to Pretoria to face CAF Champions League winners Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 19 September.

Pusic has already watched the South African champions in action but insists he is not yet fully focused on the upcoming encounter.

“I watched Sundowns, but my focus now is on the next match. We take each match as it comes,” Pusic said, according to Saudi publication Asharq Al-Awsat.

Sundowns will have some experience of facing Saudi opposition after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal in a pre-season friendly in July.

The Brazilians will need to overcome Al Ahli to keep their hopes of reaching the Intercontinental Cup final alive.

A victory in Pretoria would send Sundowns into the semi-finals, where they could face either CONCACAF champions Toluca or the winners of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

The Libertadores champion is yet to be determined.

Should Sundowns progress beyond that stage, they could potentially meet defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final.