Sundowns remain Africa's last hope after continent's teams crash out of Club World Cup

News24

5 hours ago

Egyptian club Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco and Tunisia's Esperance are already eliminated.
Sundowns are Africa's only remaining hope for representation in the knockout stages.
The PSL champions delivered Africa's best performance so far by defeating Ulsan and giving Borussia Dortmund a huge scare.
As the Fifa Club World Cup reaches the end of the group stages this week, there is not much to write home about from an African perspective.
Record African champions Al Ahly finished bottom of group A with two draws and a defeat.
After a goalless draw against US side Inter Miami, Al Ahly lost 2-0 to Brazilian club Palmeiras and drew 4-4 against Portugal's FC Porto.
An eight-goal thriller at MetLife stadium. 🤯 #FIFACWC
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 24, 2025
In group G, Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco have already been eliminated ahead of their last group game against Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Washington DC on Thursday, 26 June.
Wydad were beaten 4-1 by Italian giants Juventus, with South African Thembinkosi Lorch scoring the consolation goal, followed by a 2-0 defeat to English club Manchester City.
David Ramos / Getty Images
Mamelodi Sundowns are the continent's only hope of having a representative in the knockout stages (round of 16).
Sundowns must win against Brazilian club Fluminense in Florida on Wednesday to be guaranteed a place in the round of 16.
Fluminense, one of the enterprising sides in the 32-team tournament, are top of group F ahead of the final group games.
Sundowns' performance
The Brazilians had a good start with a 1-0 win over Ulsan of South Korea on Wednesday, 18 June. This was the first victory for an African club.
However, Sundowns subsequently fluffed an early lead to lose 4-3 against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, 21 June.
Lucas Ribeiro scored the decisive goal against Ulsan. The Brazilian also scored against Dortmund, with fellow strikers Iqraam Rayners and substitute Lebo Mothiba also on target.
Dortmund will play Ulsan in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Sundowns are third with three points, while winless Ulsan are bottom of the group. Dortmund are second with four points, level with Fluminense but behind on goal difference.
The South African Premiership champions produced the continent's only notable performance so far, as they dominated sustained periods against Dortmund.
Miguel Cardoso's side showed no fear of their counterparts, who are former European champions.
Sundowns were punished for schoolboy errors, which led to Dortmund's equalising goal as well as their second.
Cardoso and his troops must produce another courageous performance against the South Americans.
Sundowns' Brazilian player Arthur Sales hinted at what to expect against a team from his homeland.
It will be a good match between two teams that like to dominate possession of the ball.
Arthur Sales
Esperance's campaign
On Wednesday, the Blood and Gold of Tunisia were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea to become the third African team to be eliminated in the group stages.
Elias Mokwana's team opened with a 2-0 defeat against Brazil's Flamengo but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC in group D before they came unstuck against Chelsea.
Mokwana played in all three group games, while Tunisian international Youcef Belaïli scored the decisive goal against Los Angeles.
Carl Recine / FIFA / Getty Images
Flamengo are top of the group with seven points, followed by Chelsea in second place with six points.
Flamengo were held to a surprise 1-1 draw against Los Angelos on Wednesday.
Esperance finished third with three points, while winless Los Angeles prop up the group with just a point.