Mosimane backs in-form Sundowns to edge Al-Ahli in Intercontinental Cup clash

Pitso Mosimane believes Mamelodi Sundowns have the advantage when they face his former club Al-Ahli in Saturday’s Fifa Intercontinental Cup fixture at a packed Loftus, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

The match will bring together the African and Asian champions, with Sundowns hosting Al-Ahli in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the weekend.

Mosimane, who coached both sides, said the occasion would carry special significance.

“It is very emotional for me because I won trophies with both teams,” he said.

The former Bafana coach led Sundowns to five successive league titles and several cup competitions at Chloorkop before moving to Al-Ahly in Egypt. He later helped Al-Ahli return to the Saudi Pro League in 2023.

Mosimane said he was pleased to have played a part in the progress of both clubs, who have since reached the international stage.

“The other one [Al-Ahli] won the Champions League twice and this one [Sundowns] just won it recently. I am happy that I contributed somewhere a little bit.”

Having experienced Champions League finals, the Fifa Club World Cup and the World Cup as a player and coach, Mosimane said both teams had earned their place in the fixture.

“It’s humbling to see these two teams at this stage, they are playing at a high level. They are here because they won the Champions League of their confederations.”

Form gives Sundowns the edge

Speaking after announcing his 30-man squad for next week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, Mosimane selected Sundowns as slight favourites.

The South African side have won five and drawn one of their last five matches in all competitions. That run has taken them to the top of the Betway Premiership and secured their place in next month’s MTN8 final.

Sundowns have scored 11 goals during that period and have also been strong defensively. Their goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Ricardo Goss have been beaten only four times.

Al-Ahli, by contrast, have endured an uneven run of three defeats, two wins and one draw in all competitions. Their league setbacks have left them sixth in the Saudi Pro League.

“But Al-Ahli is not really in a good position at the moment. Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino left the club and they don’t really have [top players]. They have Ivan Toney who was with England at the World Cup but they are not in a good space.

“I think Sundowns have an advantage; the yellow side have an advantage over the green side. It will be good to see the boys and management again. It is good history.”

Al-Ahli manager Marino Pusic can call on international players including Edouard Mendy, Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Galeno, Francisco Trincao and Ivan Toney.

Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso has experienced players such as Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Tashreeq Matthews, Brayan Leon and Iqraam Rayners.

He also has emerging youngsters Siyabonga Mabena, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Gomolemo Kekana and Bennet Mokoena, who could be called upon in the high-profile encounter.