Nuno Santos fired a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns qualified for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup’s Challenger Cup stage after being crowned the FIFA African–Asian–Pacific Cup champions following a 2-1 victory over Saudi side Al Ahli at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Santos was the star of the show, first scoring 17 minutes into the match, before grabbing the winner 10 minutes from time. The Portuguese midfielder’s double covered up for goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’ own goal in the 19th minute.
With Saturday’s victory over the two-time Asian champions, Sundowns proceed to the FIFA Challenger Cup. It is a stage where they will meet the winner between the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup champions Deportivo Toluca FC of Mexico and the 2026 Copa Libertadores champions.
Should they win the Challenger Cup, they will set up a date with European champions Paris Saint-Germain [PSG] in December’s Intercontinental final. FARPost goes through major talking points from Saturday’s match.
WILLIAMS FALTERS ON THE BIG STAGE AGAIN
Despite all his experience in international football, Williams made a schoolboy error again. The Bafana Bafana captain could not parry a Firas Al Buraikan effort to safety, but let the ball go behind him before aiding it in crossing the line with his head.
This might remind many of the goalkeeper’s blunder against Borussia Dortmund at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. After receiving a back pass from Grant Kekana, Williams passed the ball straight to Felix Nmecha, who punished him for the Bundesliga giants to hit back after Lucas Ribeiro had handed Sundowns the lead.
NUNO SANTOS SHOWS BIG-MATCH TEMPERAMENT
On an afternoon when he was making his second start of the season and his fourth appearance, Santos justified coach Miguel Cardoso’s decision to select him in the line-up. The Portuguese midfielder headed in a delivery from Teboho Mokoena for Sundowns’ opening goal.
Making his goal impressive was that he outjumped Al Ahli defenders who were winning most aerial challenges. Santos then returned with a diving header to connect a cross from Thabang Matuludi to seal his brace.
He might have done enough to tell Cardoso that he deserves to be a regular starter going forward.
MATULUDI’S MEMORABLE DEBUT
The Bafana right-back made his debut for the Brazilians after completing his transfer from Polokwane City last week. He performed impressively, especially by providing Santos with an assist.
No doubt Thabang Matuludi has settled in at Chloorkop and put in a good shift as he combined well with Thapelo Morena, who was operating in front of him on the right wing.
ANOTHER GOALLESS OUTING FOR BRAYAN LEON
The Colombian has now unusually gone for six consecutive games without scoring. He led Sundowns’ strikeforce but struggled to find the breakthrough throughout the match.
However, he was hard-running, often pressing the Al Ahli defenders and making them uncomfortable. That could justify why Cardoso played him the entire game.
BIG AL AHLI NAMES TONEY, IBANEZ MATCHED
Although the quality of Al Ahli’s big signings could be felt, it counted for nothing in the end. England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup striker Ivan Toney and Brazil’s Roger Ibanez could not inspire the Saudi side to victory while experienced former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouardo Mendy was breached twice.
ANOTHER ONE FOR MIGUEL CARDOSO
The year 2026 has been a good one for Cardoso. He started the year carrying an unwanted record of being a two-time CAF Champions League losing finalist.
But he finally got it right on his third attempt in May when Sundowns were crowned continental champions. Now four months later, he has guided the Brazilians to humbling the Asian champions.
RELATED STORY: Why Sundowns’ Cardoso is ignoring Al Ahli’s form ahead of Intercontinental Cup
