Mamelodi Sundowns beat Al-Ahli 2-1 to move one step closer to PSG in Intercontinental Cup

South African club Mamelodi Sundowns saw off Saudi side Al-Ahli 2-1 on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria to book a place in the Challenger Cup of the Intercontinental Cup. Portuguese forward Nuno Santos scored both goals for the hosts, who now sit one tie away from a final meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.

• Nuno Santos scored in the 17th and 80th minutes to seal the South African club's progress.
• Al-Ahli briefly levelled through an own goal by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
• Mamelodi Sundowns will learn their Challenger Cup opponent after the Derby of the Americas.
• PSG know their Intercontinental Cup final rival will come from the Challenger Cup.

Nuno Santos brace proves decisive in Pretoria

The South African side struck early at Loftus Versfeld. In the 17th minute, Nuno Santos beat the visiting goalkeeper to put Mamelodi Sundowns ahead. The lead lasted only a couple of minutes, however, as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams put the ball into his own net to bring Al-Ahli level.

With the scores level, the tie remained in the balance until the closing stages. Nuno Santos stepped up again in the 80th minute, completing his brace and sending the Pretoria club through to the next round of the international tournament.

How Mamelodi Sundowns can set up a final against PSG

Victory in the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup does not send Mamelodi Sundowns straight into the final. Instead, they move into the Challenger Cup, the penultimate stage of the new Intercontinental Cup format that brings together champions from the different confederations. The winner of that tie will face Paris Saint-Germain, the back-to-back Champions League holders, for the title.

The South African team now waits for their next opponent. That rival will come from the Derby of the Americas, a clash between Mexican side Toluca, winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the Copa Libertadores champions. The final of the South American competition is set for 28 November in Montevideo, with the semi-finals scheduled for the second half of October. Estudiantes-Flamengo and Fluminense-Palmeiras are the two matchups that will decide the continental champion.

Al-Ahli's run began with an opening win in Jeddah

Al-Ahli arrived in Pretoria after coming through the first round of the Intercontinental Cup. In the opening match of the tournament, played on 26 August in Jeddah, the Saudi club beat Auckland of New Zealand 1-0. That result opened the door to the tie against Mamelodi Sundowns, where their campaign ended in South Africa.

PSG await an opponent with date and venue still to be confirmed

Paris Saint-Germain enter the tournament directly in the final as champions of the Champions League for a second straight season. The French club already know their opponent will be the winner of the Challenger Cup between Mamelodi Sundowns and the Derby of the Americas victor. The date and venue for the decisive match have yet to be decided.

What is at stake for Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round

For African football, the Challenger Cup offers a historic chance to close in on a global club final. Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the strongest sides on the continent, will aim to beat the CONCACAF or CONMEBOL champion and set up a meeting with PSG. The Intercontinental Cup format gives the champion of each confederation a direct route to compete for the world crown, and the South African club have already cleared their first major hurdle against an Asian opponent.