World Cup levels in Downs/Ahli contest as Williams finally plays against Mendy
by Lovemore Moyo · KickOffThe reality of Mamelodi Sundowns’ contest against Al Ahli is that it will be of standards higher than usual with the two clubs pregnant with players that were at the World Cup.
As kings of African club football, Sundowns will host the Asian club champions in an intercontinental tie to play out as the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
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So, FIFA will have a trophy, medals, USD2 million (approx. R32,5 million), and a ticket to the Challenger Cup for the winners while the runners-up will get medals plus half the winners’ cheque.
On the field on Saturday, Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, and Iqraam Rayners will be in the list of Sundowns players that were at the World Cup.
This is minus the injured Khuliso Mudau.
Ahli will have Senegalese goalkeeper Eduardo Mendy, Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez, Ivan Toney (England), Merih Demiral (Turkey), Francisco Trincão and three that were in the Saudi squad amongst others.
Sundowns captain Williams has taken note of this.
"When you look at their team there are so many guys that were at the World Cup," says Williams.
"Demiral played for Turkey, Ibanez with Brazil and obviously like you mentioned Ivan Toney.
"Mendy, someone that I obviously know quite well having watched his career and seen him achieve amazing things with Senegal.
"So, it will be good to finally face him.
"I haven’t gotten an opportunity to play against him.
"I have obviously taken keen interest on his career what he has done for the goalkeeping department.
"He has been amazing.
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"It is a team with a lot of experience, high-quality players, Trincão who was in the Portuguese national team, so it is going to be a good one because we also have a number of players that were at the World Cup.
"So, it will be a good competition, a good game and we just need to prepare well," says Williams.
Photo: Al Ahli