Mamelodi Sundowns are one of only 10 African clubs to compete in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup as they prepare to take on Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in Pretoria on Saturday, and the omens for the home side are good.
African teams have won their last four matches against Asian opposition in the competition, including last year, when Egypt’s Pyramids defeated Al Ahli 3-1.
In fact, African teams are unbeaten in their last eight clashes with Asian opposition (W7 D1), since Saudi side Al Hilal beat Espérance in 2019.
Overall, though, Asia still lead the head-to-head 12-8 after dominating the early meetings.
No African side has lifted this trophy before, though TP Mazembe (2010, lost to Inter Milan) and Raja Casablanca (2013, lost to Bayern Munich) have previously been finalists.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly have finished third on four occasions, most recently in 2023.
Sundowns’ only previous appearance came in 2016 in Japan, when they finished sixth after losing 2-0 to home side Kashima Antlers in the second round and then 4-1 to South Koreans Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the battle for fifth place.
African clubs have featured in 61 matches since the competition was first played as the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000. That tournament has now evolved into the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, played every four years, with this slimmed-down Intercontinental Cup contested annually.
Teams from the continent have 20 wins, seven draws and 34 defeats, scoring 78 goals and conceding 98.