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

Mamelodi Sundowns defeated AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli SC 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon to claim the 2026 FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup title.

Nuno Santos scored twice as the African champions overcame the visitors’ early pressure and secured a place in the next round of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Al Ahli, the back-to-back Asian Champions League winners, had reached the fixture after beating Auckland City last month. Their victory set up a meeting with Sundowns, the reigning champions of Africa, in Tshwane.

Sundowns made the stronger start after weathering the opening spell, with Santos putting the hosts in front after 17 minutes. His header gave the South African side the lead, although it lasted for less than two minutes.

Al Ahli equalised through an own goal when the ball took an unfortunate deflection off Ronwen Williams and went in off the Bafana Bafana captain.

Williams endured a difficult opening half. He was struck in the face by a knee from Brazil international Roger Ibanez, but continued playing as both teams went into the interval level.

Sundowns took control after the restart, while Al Ahli’s attacking players struggled to make an impact and were limited to scraps of possession and chances.

Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende and Santos dictated the midfield as the home side applied sustained pressure. Santos then completed his brace with another header, this time from an assist by Thabang Matuludi.

It was an impressive debut for Bafana right-back Matuludi, who demonstrated why he had attracted so much interest. His attacking approach added a different dimension to the Sundowns team, particularly as he moved forward alongside overlapping full-back Thapelo Morena.

The result sends Sundowns through to the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, described in the source as the old version of the Club World Cup. Their next opponents will be either Toluca or the champions of CONMEBOL.