Nuno Santos shakes off the cobwebs
Mamelodi Sundowns beat Al Ahli 2-1 on Saturday in Pretoria and keep their FIFA Intercontinental Cup run alive. Both South African goals came from Nuno Santos, who headed in both times.
The first arrived in the 17th minute. A short corner rolled to Teboho Mokoena, a perfect curling cross followed, and the Portuguese midfielder planted his header into the top corner beyond Edouard Mendy.
The context made it all the sweeter. Santos had not scored since May against Polokwane City. Last season, he finished with five goals and 11 assists. Since the start of 2026-2027, nothing. Until Saturday.
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An own goal and a penalty that never stood
Al Ahli levelled two minutes later. Ivan Toney burst down the left and drilled a low cross for Firas Al Buraikan. Ronwen Williams blocked the shot, but the ball ricocheted off the side of his head and into his own net. It was not the Bafana Bafana captain’s first own goal of the season, and his form has been under the microscope since the World Cup.
The Saudi side should have gone ahead. A sharp team move found Trincao from a Toney pass, but the Portuguese winger curled wide. Soon after, Williams brought down Toney when he was clean through. The referee pointed to the spot before the offside flag went up.
Khulumani Ndamane missed the chance to make it safe midway through the second half, blazing over from close range after Aubrey Modiba’s free kick.
Five million dollars, and PSG at the end of the road
The winner came in the 80th minute. Thabang Matuludi, the debutant, swung in a cross, Santos threw himself at it, and Mendy was beaten for a second time.
The African champions claimed the Africa-Asia-Pacific section of the competition, another trophy for coach Miguel Cardoso. Sundowns will now face the winner of the Derby of the Americas between Mexican club Toluca and a South American opponent still to be confirmed. The winner of that tie, called the Challenger Cup, will meet Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
And the prize money is enough to turn heads. PSG banked five million dollars for their 2025 triumph, Flamengo took four million as runners-up, and Pyramids FC collected two million after exiting the Challenger Cup.
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