Mamelodi Sundowns face Al Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup quarter-final on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with the match scheduled to begin at 13:00 GMT at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The game will be available on SuperSport, DAZN, MBC and ESPN.
It will be the first competitive meeting between the South African and Saudi Arabian clubs, adding an extra dimension to a tie between two reigning continental champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns come into the match as holders of the CAF Champions League. They defeated FAR Rabat in last season’s final after drawing 1-1 away before securing a narrow victory at home.
The triumph represented their second successive appearance in the final, although they were unable to retain the title in the 2024/25 edition.
The club, known as “the Brazilians”, have also made an unbeaten start to their domestic campaign. After eight matches, they have recorded six wins and two draws, scoring 19 goals and conceding seven. Those results have put them top of the table, four points clear of their nearest challengers.
Al Ahli arrive as the current Asian Champions League winners. The Jeddah-based side secured last season’s final with a 1-0 victory over Machida Zelvia, Firas Al-Buraikan scoring in extra time.
They had been reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute but held on to claim the trophy.
Their opening weeks in the Saudi Pro League have been less convincing. Al Ahli have collected 12 points from seven matches and are sixth in the standings.
Their FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign began in the first round with a narrow victory over Auckland City. Saleh Abu Al-Shamat scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute.
Al Ahli are regarded as the favourites despite their uneven league form. Their experience in major matches, resilience in last season’s Asian Champions League final and squad’s greater exposure to elite-level football are seen as crucial advantages.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ strong home record gives them a realistic chance, but they have less experience of intercontinental competition than their opponents.
The prediction is for an Al Ahli victory, with a projected score of 2-1.
The listed match odds are 3.00 for a Mamelodi Sundowns win, 3.60 for a draw and 1.92 for Al Ahli to win.