Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Al-Ahli - Kick-off time, how to watch Intercontinental Cup clash

African champions Mamelodi Sundowns will host Saudi Pro League giants and Asian champions Al-Ahli at Loftus Versfeld in a FIFA Intercontinental Cup clash on Saturday.

The winner of this African-Asian-Pacific Cup clash will advance to face the winner of the Derby of the Americas. Mexico's Toluca will take on the winner of the Copa Libertadores.

Subsequently, the winner of that game will take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Intercontinental Cup final. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams - who captains Bafana Bafana and also serves as team captain for Sundowns when Themba Zwane is not on the field - described that as the team's "ultimate goal".

Williams told Sundowns' media team: "It will be an open game and the winner takes all. It will be African Champions versus the Asian Champions.

"It's the pathway to playing the UEFA Champions League winners which is Paris Saint-Germain and that's the ultimate goal but the first step now is against Al-Ahli and we're excited."

Williams urged Sundowns to take whatever chances they are afforded, while he is all too aware of the calibre of attacking talent he and his defence will be responsible for shutting out.

"At the World Cup, Club World Cup and CAF Champions League, you're not going to get too many chances. You need to make sure that the chance you get, you bury," Williams said.

"Their strikers are clinical and we have seen it with Ivan Toney and Francisco Trincão. That is something to be aware of and be alert and know that when they get opportunities they will punish you."

Key details

Date: Saturday, September 19 at 3 p.m. CAT (1 p.m. GMT, 2 p.m. BST)

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

How to watch: The match will be available on SuperSport's DSTV channel 205 for South African viewers

DAZN is the primary global broadcaster for the tournament. There are exceptions for Globo and Cazé TV in Brazil, Zee Entertainment in India and MBC for the MENA region.

ESPN covers Sundowns and Al-Ahli on our digital and social media platforms, and airs the Saudi Pro League on ESPN Africa, as well as Disney+ for South African viewers.

Team news

Keanu Cupido, Arthur Sales and Khuliso Mudau were key long-term injury absentees to miss out on the squad for Sundowns' last match - a 1-1 draw with Chippa United.

Sundowns have notably signed two free agents who were released by rivals - former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele and former Orlando Pirates right-back Deano van Rooyen.

Sundowns also brought Thabang Matuludi in from Polokwane City as an additional right-back option. However, full integration into the team for the new signings might take some time.

Francisco Trincão was an unused substitute in Al-Ahli's 1-1 AFC Champions League Elite draw with Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor. Ivan Toney started upfront for Marino Pušić's side.

Expected lineups

Mamelodi Sundowns

GK Ronwen Williams

LB Aubrey Modiba | CB Khulumani Ndamane | CB Malibongwe Khoza | RB Thapelo Morena

CM Marcelo Allende | CM Teboho Mokoena

LW Tashreeq Matthews | AM Nuno Santos | RW Siyanda Ndlovu

ST Brayan León

Al-Ahli

GK Édouard Mendy

LB Saad Balobaid | CB Rayan Hamed Hamidou | CB Merih Demiral | RB Saeed Baattia

CM Eduard Spertsyan | CM Valentin Atangana | CM Saleh Abu Al Shamat

LW Galeno | ST Ivan Toney | RW Francisco Trincão

Stats

Mamelodi Sundowns' 1-1 draw with Chippa United ended a run of 5 wins in a row across all competitions for Miguel Cardoso's side.

Ahli were beaten in last season's Intercontinental Cup by then-African champions Pyramids - with Ivan Toney scoring for the Saudi side and Fiston Mayele netting a hat-trick past Édouard Mendy.