SUNDOWNS CLOSE IN ON A BLOCKBUSTER PSG SHOWDOWN AFTER AL AHLI VICTORY!

Mamelodi Sundowns have moved to within one match of a mouth-watering FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain after overcoming Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 19 September 2026.

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the African champions produced another memorable performance on the international stage to claim the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and advance to the next phase of the competition.

The hero of the afternoon was Portuguese forward Nuno Santos, who scored both Sundowns goals to secure a hard-fought victory.

Santos opened the scoring in the 17th minute when he rose to meet a superb cross from Teboho Mokoena, directing his header beyond Al Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The lead, however, lasted just two minutes.

Al Ahli responded when Feras Al Buraikan’s effort was initially stopped by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, only for the ball to rebound off the goalkeeper and end up in the back of the net.

The Saudi Arabian champions continued to threaten, with the likes of Ivan Toney and Francisco Trincão creating problems for the Sundowns defence. Williams was also called upon to make important interventions as the visitors looked to take control.

Sundowns survived the pressure and eventually found the breakthrough they needed in the 80th minute.

New signing Thabang Matuludi delivered an inviting cross into the area, and Santos produced another outstanding header — this time a diving effort — to beat Mendy and complete his brace.

The Brazilians then managed the closing stages effectively to secure the 2-1 victory.

The result has significantly raised the stakes for Sundowns in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

According to FIFA, Sundowns will now face the winner of the FIFA Derby of the Americas, which will involve Mexican club Toluca and the eventual 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores champions. The South American representative will only be confirmed after the Libertadores final in Montevideo on 28 November.

That match will be the FIFA Challenger Cup, with the winner advancing to the tournament’s showpiece final.

Waiting there will be Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning European champions and holders of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. PSG have already secured their place directly in the final as UEFA’s representative.

For Sundowns, the equation is therefore simple: win the Challenger Cup and they will face one of the biggest clubs in world football.

The potential meeting with PSG would represent another landmark moment for South African club football and would give Sundowns an opportunity to test themselves against Europe’s elite on the biggest global stage.

For now, however, the Brazilians must remain focused on the obstacle immediately ahead.

Their victory over Al Ahli has already delivered the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. One more victory in the Challenger Cup would take Sundowns into a global final against PSG.

The exact date and venue for the final stages have yet to be confirmed by FIFA, although the governing body has indicated that the remaining three matches — the Derby of the Americas, Challenger Cup and Intercontinental Cup final — will be staged in one host country.

After conquering Africa and overcoming the champions of Asia, Sundowns now have a tantalising opportunity to take the next step towards a global showdown with PSG.

And if the Brazilians can navigate one more hurdle, Loftus’s celebrations could eventually lead to one of the biggest club football encounters in South African history.