Ronwen Williams expects tough Al-Ahli test for Sundowns in Fifa Intercontinental Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams says facing back-to-back Asian champions Al-Ahli Saudi will provide a stern examination when the sides meet in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Sundowns have made an impressive start to the Betway Premiership and MTN8 and will hope their strong domestic form continues against the Saudi Arabian champions.

“We know it is going to be a very difficult game. I mean, they are back-to-back Asian champions, so our work will be cut out for us,” Williams told the club media department.

Al-Ahli’s squad includes several players who have appeared at the World Cup, including Merih Demiral of Turkey, Roger Ibanez of Brazil, Ivan Toney of England and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who represents Senegal.

“If you look at their team, there are so many guys who were at the World Cup, [Merih Demiral] Turkey, [Roger Ibanez] Brazil, Ivan Toney [England], and Edouard Mendy, someone I know quite well having watched his career and seen him achieve many things with Senegal,” said Williams.

“So it will be good to finally face him as I have not had the opportunity to play against him. It’s a team with a lot of experienced, high-quality players.

“It’s going to be a good one, because if you look at our side, I think we have a number of players who were at the World Cup. We just need to prepare well.”

Sundowns qualified for the annual tournament by winning the Caf Champions League last season. That success secured their place among the six continental champions competing for the global title.

Al-Ahli reached the second round after beating New Zealand side Auckland, setting up a meeting with the African champions.

Williams believes Sundowns can also draw confidence from their performances at home and their results in the opening part of the season.

“It’s obviously key and important to start the season on a positive note and we’ve done that. We’ve done extremely well in the league and the MTN8, where we are in the final,” he said.

“The big one to look out for now is the Intercontinental Cup against Al-Ahli, so the form we’ve been in hopefully will carry us on Saturday. It’s a home game for us and we know our record at home. Hopefully, that can help us to get the job done.”

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain await the team that emerges from the knockout rounds.

The competition consists of a series of intercontinental play-offs involving clubs from all confederations except Uefa. The Uefa club receives a bye to the final.