Sundowns Have PSG in Their Sights but 1 Obstacle Stands in the Way
- Mamelodi Sundowns host Al Ahli SC at Loftus Versfeld on 19 September in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup second round
- A Sundowns victory would bring the South African champions one step closer to a meeting with European champions Paris Saint-Germain
- Al Ahli arrive with World Cup players in their squad but under a new coach, while Sundowns come off a 1-1 league draw
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Mamelodi Sundowns will host Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli SC at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 19 September, in the second round of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, with a potential showdown against European champions Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.
Kick-off at the Pretoria stadium is scheduled for 15:00 SAST, with Swiss referee Sandro Schärer officiating. Schärer has handled top-level fixtures including the UEFA Nations League final and the FIFA World Cup.
What is at stake for Sundowns
Masandawana entered the competition in the second round, having received a bye after winning the CAF Champions League last season. Al Ahli progressed through the first round after beating Oceania champions Auckland FC 1-0 in Jeddah.
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FIFA reports that the winner of this African-Asian-Pacific Cup fixture advances to the FIFA Challenger Cup. If Sundowns overcome Al Ahli, they will then face the winner between CONCACAF champions Deportivo Toluca and the 2026 Copa Libertadores champions, a title that will be decided only in November. Beyond that, European champions Paris Saint-Germain await the winner of the Challenger Cup.
Al Ahli's squad and Sundowns' recent form
Al Ahli carry significant firepower into the fixture. Nine of their players featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, among them captain Edouard Mendy of Senegal, Algeria's Riyad Mahrez, England striker Ivan Toney, and Saudi Arabia's Ali Majrashi. However, the club appointed Marino Pušić as head coach in early August, and his start has produced mixed results.
Sundowns' preparations have not been without disruption either. The previous weekend, coach Miguel Cardoso's side drew 1-1 with Chippa United in the league. Cardoso attributed the result to poor pitch conditions after a late venue change that moved the match to Buffalo City Stadium, which also disrupted the team's build-up routine.
Despite that blip, Saturday's fixture offers the Tshwane club a significant opportunity to extend its continental ambitions and take another step toward silverware on the global stage.
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Cardoso reveals Sundowns' preparation setback
Briefly News previously reported that Miguel Cardoso had raised concerns about a late venue change affecting Mamelodi Sundowns' preparations for their FIFA Intercontinental Cup clash against Al Ahli on 19 September.
The Brazilians had planned their travel and recovery schedule around the original venue in Gqeberha. The switch to Buffalo City Stadium meant they had to change those plans, with Cardoso explaining that the team could no longer return home as planned.
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Source: Briefly News
