Mamelodi Sundowns stars relish Al Ahli Saudi challenge in FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns’ stars are relishing the challenge of facing Al Ahli Saudi in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is particularly looking forward to going up against fellow goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, whom he has followed throughout his career. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm.

Mendy is one of several high-profile players in the Al Ahli squad, but it is the former Chelsea goalkeeper who has especially caught Williams’ attention.

“I have not had the opportunity to play against him, so it will be good to finally face him. I mean, they are back-to-back Asian champions, so our work will be cut out for us,” Williams told the club’s media department.

“If you look at their team, there are so many guys who were at the World Cup: (Merih Demiral) Turkey, (Roger Ibanez) Brazil, Ivan Toney (England), and Edouard Mendy, someone I know quite well having watched his career and seen him achieve many things with Senegal. So, it will be good to finally face him as I have not had the opportunity to play against him. It’s a team with a lot of experienced, high-quality players.”

𝟰 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 – 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗨𝗣 🏆

Here’s everything you need to know about the Intercontinental Cup before Bafana Ba Style step onto the global stage 👆

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The match represents another major test for Sundowns, who qualified for the Intercontinental Cup after winning the CAF Champions League last season.

Al-Ahli earned their meeting with the African champions after beating Auckland FC 1-0 in the opening African-Asian-Pacific play-off. The winner of Saturday’s match will progress to the next stage of the competition, where they will face the winner of the Fifa Derby of the Americas for a place in the Challenger Cup.

That route could ultimately lead Sundowns to a meeting with European champions and defending Intercontinental Cup holders PSG in the final.

The prospect of facing some of the biggest clubs in world football adds another dimension to Sundowns’ campaign, but Williams insists their immediate focus is on Al-Ahli.

“We know it is going to be a very difficult game. I mean, they are back-to-back Asian champions, so our work will be cut out for us,” he said.

Sundowns will also draw confidence from their strong start to the domestic campaign, having impressed in both the Betway Premiership and MTN8.

They have already secured their place in the MTN8 final, while continuing to set the pace in the league.

“It’s obviously key and important to start the season on a positive note and we’ve done that. We’ve done extremely well in the league and the MTN8, where we are in the final,” Williams said.

But before thoughts of PSG can become a reality, Sundowns must first overcome an Al-Ahli side packed with international experience.

And for Williams, there is the added motivation of finally standing opposite a goalkeeper whose career he has followed closely.