Williams: Sundowns captain says Al Ahli final is giving him ‘goosebumps’

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams says the scale of Saturday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup tie against Al Ahli is already giving him “goosebumps”.

The match at Loftus Versfeld will see the African champions face the 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League winners in a trophy contest known as the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

The winners will progress to meet the winners of the Derby of the Americas in December, moving one step closer to a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain. Victory would also guarantee Mamelodi Sundowns at least USD2 million (approximately R32,5 million).

“It is going to be an interesting game, a good game, an open game as well as it is a cup final and winner takes all, takes the trophy. It is massive,” Williams said.

“This is the African champions versus the Asian champions, and it is a pathway to play against PSG and that is the ultimate goal.

“But the first step is against Al Ahli, we are excited and looking forward to it. We know it is going to be a wonderful game.

“It is a final. So, it is a game that deserves a packed stadium. Sold out.”

Williams expects an attacking contest rather than the defensive approach Sundowns often encounter in the domestic league.

“When Mamelodi Sundowns plays at Loftus and has the band going playing at Loftus, the Shoeshine and Piano will come out,” he said.

“They will see good football.

“We know when we play in the local league, teams sit back, but I don’t see that happening now. It is going to be an open game with both teams wanting to win it.”

The Sundowns captain urged supporters to attend the match as his side seeks to mark its achievement as African champions by lifting another trophy.

“We know what is at stake, so I would urge everyone to get their ticket because it is going to be a wonderful game, open game at our fortress,” Williams said.

“Let’s get that first trophy to the club and celebrate together what we have achieved.

“We have waited so many years for this moment, so this is the perfect time for us to celebrate what we have achieved, which was being the African champions.”

Williams believes the quality of players involved will make the occasion particularly significant, with footballers who have appeared at the World Cup, the Club World Cup and now the Intercontinental Cup.

“Now we are playing against the Asian champions, and I think you will see beautiful football because it is players that played at the highest level at the World Cup, at the Club World Cup and now in the Intercontinental Cup,” he said.

“Just speaking now, I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about the magnitude of the game and what is at stake, which is being the ultimate club football champ and that is basically three games away.”