Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, a Pretoria-based professional football club owned by Africa’s first billionaire, Patrice Motsepe, has strengthened its growing reputation on the global football stage after defeating Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Ahli 2-1 at a packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium to lift the African-Asian-Pacific Cup and advance to the next round of FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup.

The South African champions, competing in the South African Premiership, overturned a competitive Al Ahli side featuring international stars including former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Merih Demiral, Francisco Trincao and England striker Ivan Toney.

The victory gives the Mamelodi-based Sundowns another opportunity to extend their presence beyond Africa after their well-received appearance at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Sundowns book next global test

The victory means Sundowns advance to the next round of the Intercontinental Cup, where they will face the winner of the Derby of the Americas between Mexican club Toluca and the Copa Libertadores champions.

A victory in that fixture would set up a meeting with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the competition’s final, creating a potential global showcase for the South African club.

For Sundowns, the progression adds another chapter to a period of strong domestic and continental performance under coach Miguel Cardoso.

The club had entered the fixture on an impressive run, recording five wins and one draw in their previous six matches, a sequence that had taken them to the top of the domestic league and into the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates.

Nuno Santos delivers decisive performance

Nuno Santos emerged as the decisive figure, scoring both Sundowns’ goals in a performance that earned him the plaudits after his first start of the season. Santos opened the scoring in the 17th minute, rising above Valentin Atangana to meet a precise cross from Teboho Mokoena and beat Mendy.

Al Ahli responded before halftime when Firas Al Buraikan’s effort forced Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into an own goal as the visitors levelled the contest.

The Saudi Arabian side created further opportunities after halftime but struggled to convert them, allowing Sundowns to regain control as Mokoena, Santos and Marcelo Allende dictated the midfield. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when debutant Thabang Matuludi delivered a pinpoint cross for Santos, who powered a header beyond Mendy.

A global platform for Sundowns

Matuludi, who joined Sundowns from Polokwane City only weeks earlier, made his competitive debut at right-back and contributed an assist, underlining the depth of Cardoso’s squad.

The result gives Sundowns another high-profile victory against international opposition and strengthens their position as one of Africa’s most visible clubs on the global football stage.

With a potential meeting against Paris Saint-Germain now within reach, Sundowns have turned another continental triumph into an opportunity to test their ambitions against football’s elite.