Mamelodi Sundowns set sights on Paris Saint-Germain after Al Ahli victory

Mamelodi Sundowns have advanced to the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after beating Al Ahli Saudi 2-1 in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

The Brazilians lifted the trophy at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, leading some supporters to believe their campaign had come to an end. However, the silverware marks progress to the Challenger Cup, which serves as the semi-final of the wider competition.

Sundowns will face the winners of the Derby of the Americas in December, with the match likely to be played in Qatar. The date and venue have not yet been confirmed.

The Derby of the Americas will feature CONCACAF champions Toluca FC against the winners of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s leading club competition.

Four teams remain in contention for the Libertadores title. Brazil is represented by SE Palmeiras, CR Flamengo and Fluminense FC, while Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata complete the semi-final line-up.

Estudiantes de La Plata will meet CR Flamengo in one of the semi-finals in October. Fluminense FC will play SE Palmeiras in the other tie.

The Copa Libertadores final is scheduled to take place on 28 November in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Its outcome will determine which club faces Toluca FC in the Derby of the Americas.

For Sundowns, victory over Al Ahli Saudi has delivered a significant piece of silverware but also opened a route towards an even bigger prize. The Challenger Cup winner will move through to the final match of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain, the holders of the UEFA Champions League, await the eventual Challenger Cup winners in that showpiece fixture. The final is also scheduled for December, although FIFA has not yet announced the exact date.

The new format gives Mamelodi Sundowns the opportunity to test themselves against champions from other confederations and potentially meet one of Europe’s leading clubs.

Their success in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup is therefore both a historic achievement for the club and the latest step in a competition that could take them to Paris Saint-Germain later this year.