Intercontinental Cup offers Nuno Santos reunion with Portugal ex-teammate

Mamelodi Sundowns star Nuno Santos is set to reunite with his former Portugal U-20 teammate, who will be starring for Al Ahli SC on Saturday in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

A crucial encounter awaits Mamelodi Sundowns, as they will host Asian champions Al Ahli in the second round of the Intercontinental Cup.

Representatives of Africa at the tournament, Sundowns only enter the competition at this stage, while Al Ahli progressed after a 1-0 win over Oceania champions Auckland FC in late August.

Read: Zambia coach optimistic about Pirates star

Backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Al Ahli are among a select group of clubs with significant spending power, allowing the club to sign the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy over the last couple of seasons.

Some have since left, but the club has continued to spend on well-recognised players in Europe, including current star Francisco Trincao.

Al Ahli paid a reported €39.4 million (approximately R735 million) fee to sign Trincao from Portuguese giants Sporting CP at the beginning of this season.

A Portugal senior international already, Trincao knows Nuno Santos all too well, as the two played together at Portugal youth level.

In fact, the pair both played against South Africa at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, in a match that ended 1-1 after goals by Thabiso Monyane and Rafael Leao.

Interestingly, that draw saw Portugal get eliminated from the tournament, as they needed a win to get out of the group-stage. Amajita were also eliminated after that match.

Read: ‘No alcohol, no women’ – African coach instils new rules

By Lukhanyo Mtuta

Follow him here on X

Related tags

Al Ahli Francisco Trincão Mamelodi Sundowns Nuno Santos Portugal