Mamelodi Sundowns face Al-Ahli in FIFA Intercontinental Cup showdown

Mamelodi Sundowns will meet Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the FIFA Challenger Cup semi-finals at stake.

The South African club go into the FIFA Intercontinental Cup fixture as CAF Champions League holders, while Al-Ahli qualified after winning the Asian Football Confederation Champions League.

Continental champions meet

Sundowns secured their second CAF Champions League title by defeating AS FAR. Al-Ahli claimed their continental crown by beating Japanese club Machida Zelvia in the final.

The FIFA Intercontinental Cup brings together the champions of each of the six confederations. The competition was introduced in its current format in 2024, when Real Madrid won the inaugural edition.

Paris Saint-Germain became the second winners in 2025. Saturday’s match gives Sundowns the opportunity to continue their run against Al-Ahli, with the victor progressing to the FIFA Challenger Cup semi-final.

Sundowns return to the competition

This will not be Sundowns’ first appearance in the competition. They previously featured in 2016, when the tournament was played under the former annual Club World Cup format.

Their participation came after they won their first CAF Champions League title. Al-Ahli, meanwhile, will be making only their second appearance in the competition.

The fixture therefore represents another meeting between champions from different confederations, with the two sides seeking to extend their campaigns beyond the opening stage.

New signings unavailable

Sundowns will be without new arrivals Deano van Rooyen, Thabang Matuludi and Thabo Cele for the Intercontinental Cup match.

The trio joined the club after the FIFA squad registration deadline and are consequently ineligible to take part in the tournament.

Their absence comes as Sundowns prepare for a match that could take them into the next phase of the competition. The winner will advance to face the next challenge in the FIFA Challenger Cup semi-finals.