Mamelodi Sundowns overcome Al Ahli to win African-Asian-Pacific Cup

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

Nuno Santos scored both goals as Sundowns produced another impressive home performance, with the victory booking their place in the next round. They will 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 set up a meeting with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final later this year.

Sundowns celebrated wildly at the final whistle, having strengthened their growing reputation on the international stage. The club also featured in last year’s Fifa Club World Cup, where their performances earned widespread praise.

Santos was central to the win, scoring in each half, while debutant Thabang Matuludi, Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena also played influential roles. The result was a significant achievement for coach Miguel Cardoso, whose relationship with Sundowns supporters has been complicated.

Cardoso made several bold selection decisions, including handing Bafana Bafana defender Matuludi his debut less than two weeks after his move from Polokwane City. Despite not having played competitively since the end of last season, having been unused at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, Matuludi started at right-back and supplied the assist for the winning goal.

Grant Kekana, Khuluname Ndamane and Aubrey Modiba completed the defence, while the experienced Thapelo Morena operated in an attacking position. Santos was also given his first start of the season and rewarded Cardoso’s faith with a man-of-the-match performance alongside Mokoena and Allende in midfield.

Fawaaz Basadien, Malibongwe Khoza, Siyanda Ndlovu and Cassius Mailula, all early-season standouts for Sundowns, began on the bench.

Al Ahli arrived in South Africa with established internationals including Edouard Mendy, Merih Demiral, Francisco Trincao and Ivan Toney. However, their recent form had been uneven, with three defeats, one draw and two wins in their previous six matches, leaving them in mid-table in the Saudi Pro League.

By contrast, Sundowns 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 secured a place in next month’s MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates.

Marino Pusic selected a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Trincao, Eduard Spertsyan and Firas Al Buraikan supporting Toney.

Sundowns took the lead after 17 minutes when Santos rose above Valentin Atangana to head in Mokoena’s precise cross. Al Ahli levelled soon afterwards when Firas Al Buraikan’s effort forced goalkeeper Williams to turn the ball into his own net after a lapse in the home defence.

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

Al Ahli applied pressure after the break and Sundowns made several defensive errors, but Trincao, Spertsyan and Al Buraikan could not take advantage. Kekana was injured while attempting to clear the danger around the hour mark and was replaced by Khoza.

Ndamane headed over from Modiba’s free-kick after 65 minutes, before Sundowns regained control. Matuludi then delivered a pinpoint cross in the 78th minute, which Santos met with a powerful header beyond Mendy.

South African 100m athlete Akani Simbine presented the trophy before the match, while musician Sjava performed for the crowd.