Sundowns warned of Ivan Toney threat ahead of Al Ahli clash

Mamelodi Sundowns will need to contain the prolific Ivan Toney when they face Al Ahli in their Fifa Intercontinental Cup meeting at Loftus on Saturday.

The experienced striker, who was part of England’s squad at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, is generally deployed as a lone forward by Al Ahli coach Marino Pusic.

Toney has scored 10 goals and provided one assist in seven Saudi Pro League appearances this season, despite Al Ahli producing inconsistent results in the competition.

He is supported in attack by Galeno, Saleh Abu Al Shama, Matheus Goncalves, Francisco Trincao and Eduard Spertsyan.

“I have been more ruthless in front of goals; before, I was not as ruthless as I am now,” Toney said at Loftus on Friday after Al Ahli completed their preparations.

“I started the season well, and hopefully I can continue scoring goals and contributing to the team.”

Toney said he was aware of Sundowns’ reputation and hoped he could overcome their central defenders, including Grant Kekana, Khulumane Ndamane and Malibongwe Khoza.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso can also call on defenders Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena and Aubrey Modiba, all of whom have considerable Champions League experience.

“I have heard a lot about this team and that they score a lot of goals. When I walk around, people have said they have won the majority of their games recently,” Toney said.

“That excites me a lot because you want to play against a team like that; hopefully we will be able to damage their defence and score goals against them.”

Toney hopes for England return

England head coach Thomas Tuchel left Toney out of the squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia.

Toney said his omission was linked to personal reasons, but he remained determined to earn another call-up.

“This time around was due to personal reasons. Obviously I want to be around the mix because it’s my job to be performing on the pitch and let the rest take care of itself,” he said.

“Hopefully in the next camp coming, I will be back in the mix.”

The 2024 move from Brentford to Al Ahli attracted criticism, but Toney said he had no regrets about choosing to continue his career in Saudi Arabia.

“It has been good in Saudi Arabia. We know in life people will always have their opinions, but they don’t matter to me. I do what I want to do when I see opportunities; if I want to go to Saudi Arabia, I will do that,” he said.

“The league is getting better and better, and I feel it will be one of the best soon. The standard is top level with quality players. There are also unknown players, but they are capable of playing at the top level. I am happy playing there.”