Are you supporting Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup?
Mamelodi Sundowns have been setting the scene alight at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup (CWC) in the US, with their performances exciting South Africans and setting tongues wagging internationally.
Sundowns lock horns with famous Brazilian outfit Fluminense in their last Group F clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Wednesday night (9pm). The South African league kings need a win to advance to the last 16.
Downs earned their first CWC win in their second appearance at the tournament, after 2016, when they beat South Korea's Ulsan HD in their 1-0 opening game in Orlando, Florida.
The Pretoria team then went toe-to-toe with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling 4-3 defeat in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday that has been hailed as one of the games of the tournament.
In their first CWC appearance in the old seven-team format in Osaka in 2016 Sundowns had something of a baptism of fire, being dismantled 2-0 by host Japanese club Kashima Antlers and 4-1 by Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Their notable improvement this year has raised hopes they might beat Fluminense to advance past the group stage in Fifa's newly-expanded, 32-team CWC. This has prompted mixed emotions from South Africans.
Debates have raged on social media, specially with supporters of Sundowns' 'big three' opponents Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Some rival clubs' supporters have reacted with envy, some have proclaimed they will never back Downs even if they are flying the flag for the country, and others have said it is important for the nation to rally behind the Pretoria club as they have been doing South Africa proud.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
34 minutes ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates in hot pursuit of R20-million Sundowns Bafana star
Orlando Pirates continue to recruit players ahead to the 2025/26 season. More targets are lined up. Orlando Pirates have just signed former Mamelodi Sundowns player Sipho Mbule. However, he is not the only Sundowns star the Bucs are after… Pirates are interested in abother Sundowns player – Neo Maema. 'Yes, the club is believed to have made enquiries about Maema. Actually he was the first one even before Sipho Mbule. It has to be seen what will be the next move because apparently he still has one year on his contract with Sundowns. And Kaizer Chiefs are also believed to be interested in him,' the insider told SNL. So, the Bucs are closely monitoring the Bafana Bafana players situation at Chloorkop. However, they face stiff competition from Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs. 'At the moment the player also seems to he looking at the opportunity of moving away from Sundowns to go and play regularly somewhere. It could be at Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs depending on which club really needs him. But the player apparently just wants to play regularly,' the second source stated. Therefore, this is a golden chance for both Chiefs and Pirates to try and secure Maema's signature. Whoever does sign him will have to dig deep into their pockets. This is because the Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender is valued at over R20 million, according to Transfermark. New Pirates head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou first official signing was Mbule from Sundowns. Therefore, he could secure two Sundowns stars if Pirates succusfully lure Maema to Mayfair. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
IOL News
40 minutes ago
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns mourn former chairman Angelo Tsichla
Former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Angelo Tsichlas passed away on Tuesday. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Angelo Tsichlas, who died in a car accident on Tuesday evening, was deeply passionate about the club and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure its success. Tsichlas – though he held the chairmanship role – was content to let his managing director wife, Nastasia, take the spotlight as Sundowns dominated the domestic game, particularly in the early stages of the Premiership-era. But do not misconstrue that to mean he was not an integral part of laying the foundation for the Brazilians becoming the giants they are today. Current Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe summed up Angelo's contribution to the club in his message of condolence to the Tsichlas family: Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'I am deeply saddened by the passing of (Tsichlas), who was an outstanding football administrator and a close friend. Angelo and Natasha made enormous contributions — with the Krok family and before them Zola Mahobe — to the development and growth of Mamelodi Sundowns. "We are all immensely grateful to them for laying the foundations for the current success of Mamelodi Sundowns. Angelo will forever live in our hearts and minds. May Angelo Tsichlas' soul rest in peace.' While Angelo always cut the figure of a serious club boss who took no nonsense from anyone — be it players or officials — he had a softer side too, often flashing his infectious smile behind the spectacles whenever one visited the Sundowns offices at PresMall in downtown Johannesburg. A lingering memory I have of Tsichlas is of a night at Loftus Versfeld Stadium when Sundowns won their maiden Castle Premiership title. As the players celebrated on the pitch, Angelo came rushing up to the press box. The Chairman and the Motsepe Family, the Board of Directors, Technical Team, Players, Management, Staff, Supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns FC & the entire Yellow Nation express their deepest condolences to the family and friends as we mourn the loss of former Mamelodi Sundowns… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 25, 2025
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Does Gayton McKenzie have a plan for 'empty' Cape Town Stadium?
Following Cape Town City FC's sensational relegation from the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, the Mother City – and the Western Cape for that matter – won't have a team in next season's Betway Premiership. That will leave the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point, built to host matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, empty for the 2025/26 football season. The Citizens were beaten 1-0 by Orbit College at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday which sealed their fate. They will play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) next season. One wonders if Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has a plan up his sleeve. McKenzie was vocal last week regarding the City of Cape Town's plan to turn part of the Athlone Stadium's parking lot into a mixed-use development. McKenzie was adamant that 'We will never allow this, never ever.' It's unclear who McKenzie meant by 'we'. He went on to add that 'we' 'have plans to attract big matches' to Athlone – without mentioning what sport he was referring to. He may now need another plan to 'attract big matches' to the Cape Town Stadium … As a reminder, Cape Town City FC won seven, drew six and lost 15 of their 28 Betway Premiership matches last season to finish 15th in the standings. They scored a league-low 15 goals and conceded 31. Durban City will replace Royal AM in the Betway Premiership next season, with Orbit College also now joining the top flight at the Citizens' expense. Unless Cape Town City FC can buy their way back into the Betway Premiership – stranger things have happened in South African football – they face a daunting task to fight their way back to the top tier. Wednesday, 11 June: Casric Stars 0-0 Orbit College Saturday, 14 June: Cape Town City FC 0-0 Casric Stars Wednesday, 18 June: Orbit College 1-1 Cape Town City FC Saturday, 21 June: Orbit College 1-0 Casric Stars Wednesday, 25 June: Orbit College 1-0 Cape Town City FC Monday, 30 June: Cape Town City FC vs Casric Stars – 15:00 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
