South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli are facing off once again in the highly anticipated Africa-Asia leg of the Intercontinental Cup. Sundowns enter the second round of the competition after receiving a bye as a result of winning the CAF Champions League last season. Al-Ahli on the other hand clinched a 1-0 win against Auckland FC in the first round. But Sundowns are representing more than just Mamelodi on Saturday. As Africa’s reigning champions, they carry the expectations of a continent that has recently enjoyed the upper hand over Asian opposition on the global stage.It should be noted, however, that Sundowns still have plenty to prove against Saudi opposition. In a preseason meeting with Al-Hilal, Sundowns conceded twice from just two counter-attacking opportunities, exposing how quickly a technically gifted Saudi side can punish defensive mistakes. Against an Al-Ahli team possessing considerable quality in transition, those moments could prove costly once again. Al-Ahli, meanwhile, arrive in South Africa looking considerably different from the side that competed in last year’s tournament. Some of the biggest names missing from the lineup include Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessié, alongside former manager Matthias Jaissle, who all departed in August. The current head coach, Marino Pušić, has been in the role since just Aug 6th. Still, the refurbished Al-Ahli squad is hardly short of star power. Ivan Toney, Eduard Spertsyan, Francisco Trincão and Édouard Mendy headline a group with more than enough individual quality to trouble the African champions. With Pušić attempting to integrate several new pieces into his system, Al-Ahli remain a team in transition—but expecting them to leave Pretoria with a positive result would hardly be overambitious. Al-Ahli seeks to end African dominance in the cup and make up for their previous performance after losing to Pyramids FC 3-1 in their previous participation. The clash with Mamelodi gives the Saudis a chance to write a new chapter in the tournament, by seizing the title and shattering the glass ceiling held over Asian teams in previous matchups. African clubs have won their last four meetings with Asian sides and are unbeaten in their past eight, recording seven victories and one draw. The stakes on Saturday extend well beyond one match. The winner in Pretoria will lift the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and advance to the FIFA Challenger Cup, where either CONCACAF champions Toluca or the eventual Copa Libertadores winners will await. Win there, and the reward is a place in the Intercontinental Cup final against European champions Paris Saint-Germain. What's apparent for now is that both teams are wanting to prove they have made meaningful advancements in recent time. Sundowns have home-field advantage and the weight of Africa’s recent success behind them, while Al-Ahli arrive with a rebuilt squad eager to erase the memory of last year’s continental disappointment. It can’t be definitively stated whether or not Mamelodi make this home advantage count or once again fall short of great expectations and take a loss to Al-Ahli in their own backyard.