Sundowns face Al-Ahli with Intercontinental Cup semi-final place at stake

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Al-Ahli Saudi in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the next round at stake.

The match kicks off at 3pm and is expected to provide a stern test for Masandawana against opponents boasting considerable experience and international quality.

The winners will progress to the next stage, where they will meet either Mexican club Toluca or the winners of the Copa Libertadores in South America in the semi-final.

Should Sundowns reach that stage and win their semi-final, they will face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Paris Saint-Germain are the holders of the Intercontinental Cup and have qualified automatically for the final.

A Saudi Arabian heavyweight

Based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahli Saudi are coached by Marino Pusic and come into the match as back-to-back Asian Champions League Elite titleholders.

The club has received substantial financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, enabling it to recruit several prominent players from European football in recent years.

Their current squad includes Ivan Toney, the former Brentford and England international striker, as well as Francisco Trincao, a Portuguese winger who previously played for Barcelona.

Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is another notable member of the squad, while Turkey defender Merih Demiral and Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez are also among the club’s key players.

Al-Ahli Saudi have previously attracted a number of other high-profile names. Those players include Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, Ivorian midfielder Frank Kessie and French forward Allan Saint-Maximin.

The club have won the Saudi Pro League nine times, underlining their established status in the country’s domestic game.

Mosimane’s role in the club’s revival

Al-Ahli Saudi were revived under current Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, who managed the club from September 2022 until June 2023.

During his time in charge, Mosimane achieved the club’s objective of winning the Saudi First Division League and securing a return to the top-flight Saudi Pro League.

Their latest campaign in the Saudi Pro League has been uneven. Al-Ahli Saudi have played seven matches, winning four and losing three, and currently occupy sixth position in the table.

That record leaves Sundowns facing a side that has shown both quality and inconsistency domestically, while its squad contains players with extensive experience at international and elite club level.