What you need to know about Sundowns, Al Ahly's opponent in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns are set to face Al Ahly FC next Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, in a clash between the champions of Africa and Asia.

The South African club was founded in the early 1960s in Pretoria and has since become one of the most prominent and decorated football clubs in South Africa.

Mamelodi Sundowns FC boasts an impressive domestic record, having won the South African league 18 times, with their most recent title coming in the 2024-2025 season, alongside six South African Cup titles.

The club has added four titles in the league cup and four victories in the MTN 8 tournament, confirming its strong presence in the local scene across successive generations.

On the continental level, Mamelodi Sundowns FC won the CAF Champions League for the first time in 2016, under the management of Pitso Mosimane, after overcoming Zamalek in the final.

The team won the CAF Super Cup in 2017, before claiming the first edition of the African Football League in 2023, and returning in 2026 to win the CAF Champions League for the second time.

Mamelodi Sundowns FC has seen the emergence of several prominent names in its history, led by the all-time top scorer Daniel "Mambush" Mudau, alongside Roger Feutmba and Peter Ndlovu.

Themba Zwane stands out as one of the symbols of the club, having worn its jersey since 2011, while Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango is among the players with the most titles in the South African league.

The current generation includes prominent names such as goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende, and Colombian forward Bryan León.

Al Ahly FC faces a challenging task against a rival with home advantage and a CAF Champions League title, while Al Ahly enters the match as the Asian champion.

Saturday's match carries a special significance as it is a clash between the 'Brazil of Africa' and Al Ahly FC, in a new test of the Saudi team's ambitions during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.