Sundowns held by Al Ahli as FIFA Intercontinental Cup tie level at half-time

Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahli were level at 1-1 at half-time in their FIFA Intercontinental Cup meeting at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.

The match, played on 19 September 2026, saw Sundowns take the lead through Nuno Santos before Al Ahli responded two minutes later with an own goal involving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

New signing Thabang Matuludi was handed an immediate debut at right-back, while Santos and Aubrey Modiba returned to the starting line-up following Sundowns’ 1-1 draw with Chippa United last weekend.

Sundowns controlled possession from the start, although the opening stages were slow-paced. Al Ahli, the Saudi Pro League side, were content to absorb pressure and defend entries into the 18-yard area rather than commit players forward.

The home side eventually turned their dominance into a goal in the 17th minute from a set-piece situation. Teboho Mokoena delivered the cross and Santos rose to head it home, opening his account for the campaign.

Al Ahli responded almost immediately. Two minutes after Sundowns had taken the lead, Ivan Toney escaped down the left and sent the ball into the area for Feras Al-Buraikan.

Al-Buraikan’s effort struck Williams and deflected into the net, with the goal recorded as an own goal. That brought Al Ahli level at 1-1.

Sundowns remained the more influential side for the rest of the half, while Al Ahli appeared increasingly reluctant to press high up the pitch as the interval approached.

How the teams lined up

Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 3. Ndamane, 22. Matuludi, 20. Kekana, 27. Morena, 6. Modiba, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 10. Santos, 17. Matthews, 12. Leon

Substitutes: 31. Goss, 42. Khoza, 23. Basadien, 15. Aubaas, 18. Zwane, 19. Cele, 9. Sales, 29. Van Wyk, 40. Mvala, 38. Ndlovu, 33. Mailula, 13. Rayners

Al Ahli: 16. Mendy, 2. Zakaria, 3. Ibanez, 28. Demiral, 6. Atangana, 6. Ziyad Aljohani, 7. Trincao, 8. Spertsian, 9. Feras, 15. Saeed Baattia, 17. Toney