Sundowns topple Al Ahli to lift African-Asian-Pacific Cup

Africa has already been conquered, and now Mamelodi Sundowns have set their sights on the global Fifa business.

They issued a powerful message in another strong home performance to claim the considerable scalp of big spending Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli 2-1 during their Fifa Intercontinental Cup at a packed and bouncing Loftus on Saturday afternoon.

Sundowns lifted the African-Asian-Pacific Cup trophy and they have booked a place in the next round where they will play the winner of the Derby of the Americas between Mexico’s Toluca and winner of the Copa Libertadores.

If they get through their next match, they will compete for the title with European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final to be played later in the year in what will be a monumental occasion for the club.

Wild celebrations said it all after the final whistle but it will not be for the first time Sundowns make a nuisance of themselves in front of the globe stage as they featured in the Fifa Club World Cup last year where they received plaudits.

In a game where they considerably upped the tempo in the second half, benefitting from the vast Champions League experience, Nuno Santos sparkled with a brace that put them over the line.

It was a commendable team effort but Santos, debutant Thabang Matuludi, Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena stood head and shoulders in this important victory for the club.

It is also a significant box ticked for coach Miguel Cardoso who has a complicated relationship with Sundowns supporters.

Cardoso made some surprising choices in his starting line-up by giving Bafana Bafana defender Matuludi his debut barely two weeks after them from Polokwane City and it proved to be a tactical masterpiece.

Matuludi, who had not played competitively since the end of last season because he was unused at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, was employed at right back and he returned with an assist.

The defence was completed by Grant Kekana, Khuluname Ndamane and Aubrey Modiba while the experienced Thapelo Morena was employed in an attacking role.

Cardoso showed confidence in Santos his first start of the season in the midfield and he repaid the trust with a man-of-the-match performance after a blinder where he played with Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allendein the midfield.

Cardoso surprisingly left Fawaaz Basadien, Malibongwe Khoza, Siyanda Ndlovu, Cassius Mailula on the bench who have been early season livewires for the Brazilians.

The Asian champions came to South Africa with some proven international players like Edouard Mendy, Merih Demiral, Francisco Trincão and Ivan Toney.