Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has weighed in on the hype around midfielder Teboho Mokoena from the Saudi press amid reports linking the Bafana Bafana star to the Gulf state.
The buzz around Mokoena also comes ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup against Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. It is a clash between African champions Sundowns and Al Ahli, the kings of Asia.
This is the second round of the Intercontinental Cup, known as the FIFA African–Asian–Pacific Cup. Winners of this stage will qualify for the play-off round, known as the FIFA Challenger Cup.
To reach the African–Asian–Pacific Cup, Al Ahli beat Oceania Football Confederation Professional League champions Auckland FC 1-0 in August. Masandawana were handed a first-round bye and begin their campaign in the second round against Al Ahli.
Sundowns are bidding to reach December’s Intercontinental final, where European champions Paris Saint-Germain await the Challenger Cup winner. Meeting in the Challenger Cup will be Saturday’s victors and either 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Deportivo Toluca FC of Mexico or the 2026 Copa Libertadores champions.
WILLIAMS ON MOKOENA UNDER THE MICROSCOPE FROM SAUDI ARABIA
Mokoena has become the most talked-about Sundowns player by the Saudi media, and the Bafana star has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
“Obviously, we have seen reports in the media. We don’t know if it’s true or not. So, it shows that they’ve taken interest in some of our players, which is good,” Williams told Sundowns’ media team.
“You know, it shows that the guys are doing well and obviously, if you score at the [FIFA] World Cup, people will know you. Teboho scored at the World Cup, he scored at AFCON, he scored in all the big tournaments that we’ve played.
“So, obviously, I’m sure that they will keep an eye on him. When they won their game as well, you could see their media.
“They started, you know, checking up on our players, and the player that they did mention was Mokoena for obvious reasons. Because of the goals that he scored, the number of goals he scored from midfield.”
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