Mokwana, Mailula, Lorch step up as Africa falls short on global stage
Alongside them stood continental heavyweights Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club, and Esperance de Tunis — four clubs that have dominated African football over the past decade.
However, the group stage brought a harsh reality. None of the four African sides progressed to the round of 16, and while there were moments of quality, the early exits laid bare the concerning gap between Africa's best and the rest of the world.
It was a tournament that underlined how far African clubs still have to go to match their counterparts in Europe, South America, and parts of Asia.
Yet within the overall disappointment, there were bright sparks — none more so than Sundowns.
The Premiership champions stood out as the most competitive African side, finishing with four points from their three matches.
A thrilling 4-3 loss against Borussia Dortmund, a hard-fought 1-0 win over HD Ulsan, and a resilient goalless stalemate against Brazilian giants Fluminense left them agonisingly short of progression.
Still, their performances did more than earn respect — they proved that they have matured into a club capable of standing toe-to-toe with the game's elite.
Their showing was not just about results; it was a statement of growth. Years of investment, sound football management, and a focus on developing local and continental talent have made them a standard bearer for African football.
For South Africa, the tournament also offered a positive subplot. Several Bafana Bafana players gained vital experience on the global stage — something national coach Hugo Broos will be keen to build on ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Elias Mokwana
The versatile attacker featured in all three matches for Esperance de Tunis in one of the toughest groups of the tournament, facing Chelsea and Flamengo. Their 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC was a highlight, but a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea ended their hopes.
Despite the early exit, Mokwana impressed with his work rate and discipline and even though he would have wanted to have a lot more impact for his side, he did just enough to open the door for a few options in the market moving ahead. Cassius Mailula
The Wydad forward endured a tough campaign, with the Moroccan side finishing without a point. Still, Mailula made his presence felt, scoring one of Wydad's two goals across the group stage.
His loan spell from Toronto FC has been fruitful, and the exposure he gained on the world stage could push the Moroccan side to consider making his move permanent. For a player still on the rise, this experience may prove vital to his long-term development. Thembinkosi Lorch
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