All the permutations in Group F
For Mamelodi Sundowns, it's a case of win or bust. Anything less than victory against Fluminense will see them boarding the next flight home.
Mamelodi Sundowns players salute fans during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup game at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on 21 June 2025 © Lynne Gleeson/BackpagePix
Group F at the FIFA Club World Cup reaches its climax with Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns all vying for a place in the last 16.
Ulsan HD of the Republic of Korea have already been eliminated following back-to-back defeats in their opening two matches.
ALSO READ: OPINION – Pirates' Ouaddou needs to be given a chance
The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout phase of the expanded global showpiece currently being staged in the United States.
Fluminense sit at the top of Group F with four points after a goalless draw against Dortmund and a 4-2 victory over Ulsan. Dortmund are also on four points but trail the Brazilians on goal difference.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, it's a case of win or bust. Anything less than victory against Fluminense will see them boarding the next flight home to South Africa.
Masandawana are on three points going into the decisive fixture, having beaten Ulsan and narrowly lost to Dortmund.
All the Permutations in Group F
Fluminense
They will secure their place in the round of 16 if they avoid defeat against Sundowns. They could also progress even if they lose, provided Dortmund are beaten by Ulsan in what would be a surprise result.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund will guarantee their place in the next round with a win or draw against Ulsan. A defeat might still see them qualify, depending on the result of the Sundowns-Fluminense clash.
Mamelodi Sundowns
The Betway Premiership champions must win to remain in the competition and nothing else will suffice. All matches in Group F will kick off simultaneously at 9pm South African time.
The two teams progressing from Group F will await the final standings in Group E to determine their next opponents.
ALSO READ: Man City hit six to reach Club World Cup last 16, Real Madrid win with 10 men
Inter Milan and River Plate are currently favourites to qualify, although FC Monterrey remain in contention for a knockout berth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
28 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
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.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
The boot and polish man who had a window into history
It's not a long way from Boksburg to Ellis Park, but for Robbie Schlemmer, 24 June 1995, was no ordinary trip. As the boot and change room manager for the Springboks, he was heading into a day that would change South African sport forever, one polished boot, one quiet checklist at a time. According to Clinton van der Berg, writing on his 'Got Game' website, Schlemmer remembers how he steered his trusty Toyota Corolla through the quiet, wintry streets of Johannesburg that morning. The city was still, but he felt the tension rising. At Ellis Park, South Africa's great rugby fortress, all was calm. He knew the day would be special. His job was simple in theory but meticulous in practice: set up the changeroom, make sure everything was perfect. Geyser on? Tick. Lights on? Tick. Clean and tidy? Tick. Soap? Tick. Toilet paper? Tick. Ice machine filled? Tick. Cold drinks and Castles? Tick. Snacks? Tick. Physio bed? Tick. Air conditioner? Tick. Then came the sacred ritual: unpacking the socks, shorts and green and gold Springbok jerseys, each laid out beneath a name tag, match programme balanced neatly on top. The balls had to be pumped to exact IRB specifications: 9.5 to 10 pounds per square inch. If any boots looked shabby, out came the polish and brush. The manne had to look sharp. Robbie Schlemmer began working at Ellis Park in the late 1980s after a friend asked him to help out. He earned R85 per Saturday before tax. 'The Transvaal players also got a koevertjie with their R800 match fee,' he recalls. The changeroom had its fair share of characters. The most intimidating? Louis Luyt. After a loss, he was fearsome. But not to Hennie le Roux, the team's sharp-tongued shop steward, and Luyt hated that. 'An insidious personality,' wrote Luyt of Le Roux in his autobiography. 'He turned out to be a true prima donna.' James Small, by contrast, was a 'great oke' who believed Schlemmer deserved more recognition. Big men like Kobus Wiese and Balie Swart treated him like gold. Wiese still messages him on his birthday. 'Johan Heunis was pure class, and Japie Mulder was always chirping, joking, smiling,' says Schlemmer. Francois Pienaar, the captain, even mentioned him in his autobiography Rainbow Warrior , calling Schlemmer 'my most loyal supporter'. Coach Kitch Christie once told him, only half-jokingly, that he was the Lions' lucky charm: 'They only lost twice when I was sick.' As the 1995 Rugby World Cup approached, it slowly dawned on Schlemmer that he might be involved. When he received his official accreditation as 'Change room manager,' it became real. That afternoon, he was busy seeing to the players' needs when a commotion broke out. He heard Nelson Mandela before he saw him. 'And then I knew, you could put your house on the Boks winning.' Mandela's arrival in the changeroom had been kept a state secret. Only security chief Rory Steyn knew. Even Doc Luyt had been kept mostly in the dark. Dressed in a Springbok cap and jersey with Pienaar's number six on the back, Madiba moved along the line, greeting every person. He paused to speak Afrikaans to a ball boy. His security detail urged him on, but Mandela took his time. He told the players not to win for him, or for themselves, but for their country. Pienaar followed with his own words about unity and opportunity. 'There was no way we could lose that day,' Schlemmer remembers. Small listened to UB40 on his Walkman. Mulder cracked nervous jokes. Pienaar bounced on his toes like a coiled spring. Transvaal tjommies – James Small and Schlemmer (Pic: Supplied) Robbie Schlemmer squeezed into a corner of the press box to watch the game. His nerves were frayed, but his belief never wavered. At half-time, he made sure the sandwiches were ready. After full-time, the Heinekens. The All Blacks, more reserved, asked for tea. Pandemonium followed the final whistle. Reporters, photographers, hangers-on poured into the changeroom. Schlemmer looked on with quiet pride. He later drank beer from the Webb Ellis Cup, part celebration, part tribute to the Transvaal core who had become world champions. When the Boks left for Gallagher Estate and the official dinner, Schlemmer stayed behind to clean up. In the All Blacks changeroom next door, he heard guitars: Josh Kronfeld and Zinzan Brooke strumming Maori songs, their defeat worn lightly. Schlemmer stayed on until 2003, working with the SA U20s who won their own title under Jake White. Players like Fourie du Preez, Jean de Villiers, Clyde Rathbone and the late Swys Swart passed through his care. And then it ended. The work dried up without explanation. Today, at 61, he works as a rep for a liquor company. He still loves his rugby – from a distance now – and has found new passion in boxing and MMA. Yesterday marked 30 years since that extraordinary afternoon. There was no private celebration. For Robbie Schlemmer, being there was enough. He doesn't need medals or headlines. He helped hold together the team behind the team, one checklist, one pair of polished boots, one quiet presence at a time. 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.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates to assess 29-year-old overseas-based winger!
Orlando Pirates have already signed nine players ahead of the pre-season but there will be more still to come. Pirates will fly to Spain for a third time in a row and will have plenty of new faces aboard. On Tuesday they announced the signing of former Mamelodi Sundowns star Sipho Mbule. The playmaker joins Pirates as free agent after being released by the Brazilians. The eight others being Kabelo Kgositsile, Masindi Nemtajela, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Tshepo Mashiloane, Sihle Nduli, Tshepang Moremi , Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Yanela Mbuthuma. The Sea Robbers are set to begin their pre-season on the 7th of July and all of those players are expected to be there. While those players are signed and sealed Buccaneers, there is reportedly an additional face who will join them. According to Sportswire , Pirates are set to welcome 29-year-old overseas-based winger Jaisen Clifford. 'Orlando Pirates have expressed interest in Jaisen Clifford, and the Soweto Giants have even sent a letter to assess him. Pirates are reportedly seeking cover for both left and right-wing positions and are impressed by Clifford's profile. If Pirates sign Clifford, they'll acquire him for free, as his contract at Etar Veliko Tarnovo is expiring at the end of the season and he does not intend to Clifford is a talented footballer who can play on both flanks. He might be a direct replacement for Monnapule Saleng, who was allegedly sidelined last season after signing a pre-contract elsewhere, reportedly infuriating Pirates' management.' Wrote the publication. With both Relebohile Mofokeng and Monnapule Saleng linked with exits from Pirates, Clifford's presence could be telling. If he impresses, he will be the third winger to join the Buccaneers after Kgositsile and Moremi. Pirates fans would you be happy with signing the experienced Clifford? 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.
