Mamelodi Sundowns secured the 2026 FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup title after a 2-1 win over AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli SC on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld.
The back-to-back Asian Champions League winners secured a place in the fixture after beating Auckland City last month before the next phase in Tshwane against the reigning champions of Africa.
- ALSO READ: Sundowns & Ahli Starting XIs Announced
- Ivan Toney On Where They’re Looking To Hurt Sundowns
And Sundowns got off to the perfect start, after soaking up some early pressure, Nuno Santos headed the home side into the lead after 17 minutes.
But it lasted less than two minutes, before the Saudi Pro League giants levelled matters via an own goal as the ball via Ronwen Williams as the ball inadvertently went in off the Bafana Bafana captain.
It was an opening half that he wouldn’t forget early as he took a knee to the face from Brazil international Roger Ibanez but managed to continue and the two side’s went into the break at level scores.
Sundowns took control in the second half and the visitors looked a shadow of themselves, with their forward line feeding off scraps as the likes of Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende and Santos controlled the midfield.
And it was the latter who got in on the action again, bagging his brace with another header, assisted by the impressive Thabang Matuludi.
It was an inspiring debut for the Bafana right-back who showed excactly why he was so sought-after, bringing a different dimension to the Sundowns side as an attack-minded right-back, overlapping Thapelo Morena.
Sundowns now advance to the next round of the FIFA Intercontinetal Cup, the old version of the Club World Cup, where they will meet Toluca or the champions of CONMEBOL.
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.