Mamelodi Sundowns have once again demonstrated that African club football can compete with the best in the world, producing a magnificent 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli at a packed Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday. The victory earned the African champions the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and sent them into the next phase of the Intercontinental Cup. More importantly, Sundowns' performance was a statement about the quality, ambition and character of African football. Against an Al Ahli side boasting an expensively assembled squad with considerable international experience and high-profile players such as England striker Ivan Toney, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Portugal international Francisco Trincão, Sundowns refused to be intimidated. Sundowns were in charge from the opening minute and never looked like losing despite conceding an own goal via keeper and captain Ronwen Williams. The only time Al Ahli looked dangerous was in the closing minutes, ...
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