Sundowns beat Al-Ahli to win African-Asian-Pacific Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli 2-1 at a packed Loftus on Saturday to win the African-Asian-Pacific Cup and move closer to a possible Fifa Intercontinental Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Nuno Santos scored both goals in a powerful second-half performance, with the result strengthening Sundowns’ growing reputation beyond Africa. They will now face the winner of the Derby of the Americas between Mexico’s Toluca and the winner of the Copa Libertadores.

Victory in that match would send Sundowns into a final against European champions Paris Saint-Germain later in the year.

The celebrations at the final whistle reflected the importance of the occasion, although this is not the first time Sundowns have impressed on the global stage. They featured in the Fifa Club World Cup last year and earned widespread praise for their performances.

Santos was the standout player, scoring twice after receiving his first start of the season in midfield. He operated alongside Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende, while debutant Thabang Matuludi also made a major contribution by providing the assist for the winning goal.

Coach Miguel Cardoso’s selection decisions proved decisive. He handed Matuludi his Sundowns debut only two weeks after the defender completed his move from Polokwane City. The Bafana Bafana international played at right-back, despite not having appeared competitively since the end of last season when he was unused at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Grant Kekana, Khuluname Ndamane and Aubrey Modiba completed the defence, with experienced player Thapelo Morena used in an attacking position. Cardoso also left early-season standouts Fawaaz Basadien, Malibongwe Khoza, Siyanda Ndlovu and Cassius Mailula on the bench.

Al-Ahli arrived with established internationals including Edouard Mendy, Merih Demiral, Francisco Trincao and Ivan Toney, but their recent form had been inconsistent. They had lost three, drawn one and won two of their previous six matches, leaving them in mid-table in the Saudi Pro League.

Sundowns, by contrast, had won five and drawn one of their previous six games in all competitions. That run had taken them to the top of the league and into the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates next month.

Sundowns opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Santos rose above Valentin Atangana to head in a dangerous cross from Mokoena. Al-Ahli levelled soon afterwards when Firas Al Buraikan’s effort forced Ronwen Williams to push the ball into his own net after a defensive lapse.

Williams then denied Trincao with a close-range header shortly before half-time, having earlier received treatment after taking a blow to the head.

Al-Ahli increased the pressure after the interval and Sundowns made several mistakes, but Trincao, Eduard Spertsyan and Al Buraikan could not take advantage. Kekana injured himself while attempting to clear the danger around the hour mark and was replaced by Khoza.

Ndamane headed over from Marcelo Allende’s free-kick after 65 minutes, before Sundowns regained control. Matuludi’s precise cross found Santos in the 78th minute, and his powerful header gave Mendy no chance.

South African 100m sprint star Akani Simbine presented the trophy before kick-off, while musician Sjava performed for the crowd.