Sundowns ready for Al Ahli Saudi test in FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns will face a high-profile Al Ahli Saudi side in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

Sundowns striker Brayan Leon will have the opportunity to test himself against England international Ivan Toney, while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is relishing the chance to come up against Edouard Mendy.

The Al Ahli Saudi goalkeeper has been a particular source of interest for Williams, who has followed his career closely but has never faced him.

“I have not had the opportunity to play against him, so it will be good to finally face him,” Williams told Sundowns’ media department. “I mean, they are back-to-back Asian champions, so our work will be cut out for us.”

Mendy is part of an experienced Al Ahli squad that also includes Turkey defender Merih Demiral, Brazil defender Roger Ibanez and Toney.

“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,” Williams said.

“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.”

The fixture is another significant challenge for Sundowns, who qualified for the competition by winning the CAF Champions League last season.

Al Ahli earned their place in the meeting with the African champions after a 1-0 victory over Auckland FC in the opening African-Asian-Pacific play-off.

The winner at Loftus Versfeld Stadium will advance to the next stage, where they will meet the winner of the Fifa Derby of the Americas. Victory there would secure a place in the Challenger Cup.

Sundowns could eventually face European champions and defending Intercontinental Cup holders PSG in the final, although Williams said the South African side’s attention remained firmly on Saturday’s opponents.

“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,” he said.

Sundowns’ preparations have been strengthened by their impressive start to the domestic season. They have reached the MTN8 final and are also setting the pace in the Betway Premiership.

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

The immediate task is to overcome an Al Ahli side filled with international experience. For Williams, the match also provides the long-awaited chance to stand opposite a goalkeeper whose career he has admired.