FIFA Club World Cup Preview: Are Mamelodi Sundowns the most likely African club to advance?

Following a heartbreaking defeat to Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the 2024-25 CAF Champions League final, South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns now turn their attention to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as Africa’s potential greatest hope to make noise in the United States.

With a relatively favorable draw in Group F, Sundowns will face three clubs that are not in top form upon arrival at the competition. Read more in our preview below about why Sundowns may be the one African club that qualifies for the knockout stages.

Based in Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns continue to dominate South Africa’s Betway Premiership while they pursue their ambitions to become champions of Africa. “The Brazilians” have won the last eight titles in South Africa’s top flight and became African club champions for the first time by winning the CAF Champions League in 2016. Since then however, they have consistently fallen short of repeating this feat with several semifinal and quarterfinal exits.

Sundowns made their lone appearance at the Club World Cup in 2016, a disappointing tournament that saw them lose both of their matches with defeats to Asian clubs Kashima Antlers (Japan) and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea) to finish in sixth place.

Having built their reputation as a club that emphasizes attractive and attacking football, aforementioned disappointments in the CAF Champions League prompted Sundowns management to hire Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso.

While the South African champions grinded out aggregate victories over North African giants Al Ahly of Egypt and Tunisia’s Espérance, the feeling remains that Sundowns failed to reach their full potential and achieve their continental ambitions. A pragmatic coach known for focusing more on results than entertainment, Cardoso will need his team to achieve a commendable result in the USA to silence the doubters.

Regardless of the discussion around Cardoso and his tactical tendencies, Sundowns were more prolific than ever in domestic competition. With a modern transfer policy that has brought in high-priced South American players like Brazilian star Lucas Ribeiro and one-time Chilean international Marcelo Allende, Masandawana far exceeded the goal totals of the Sundowns teams that won seven previous titles in South Africa.

As a result of the high level of talent in the squad, even North Africa’s giant clubs utilized cautious and defensive tactics. This was a difficult riddle for Cardoso and his team to solve despite reaching the final of the CAF Champions League, exposing issues at the striker position and a heavy dependence on Ribeiro to both create opportunities and score.

But it will be different in the United States where Sundowns are not fancied to advance out of Group G. Sundowns repeatedly scorched their South African opponents with devastating counter-attacks and transition play caused by timely pressing, a characteristic that may allow them to thrive against their more pedigreed Group F opponents.

This unusual situation is very promising for Sundowns, who will not have to break down teams that put most of their players behind the ball.

Sundowns are a team that overwhelms South African and African competition with a technically skilled midfield and pace on the flanks. Ribeiro is the star of the show with a free role in attack with excellent support from the central midfield. Allende is tidy in possession with the ability to progress the ball while South Africa national team star Teboho Mokoena has excellent passing range and long range shooting.

Support for the midfield will arrive from the flanks where Sundowns’ tireless fullbacks are eager to dominate their respective wings. Khuliso Mudau is the standout player, known for his ability to shutdown opposition wingers. Aubrey Modiba’s defensive performances have not been as sharp as in previous seasons but the left back does offer more support in the attack with precise services on crosses and also set pieces.

Of course, South Africa national team goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is another major factor. His spectacular shot stopping and distribution abilities will be crucial and this tournament presents the best possible opportunity for Williams to show the world he is more than just a force in African club football.

However, the element that was missing most at crucial moments was a reliable striker. Iqraam Rayners appears to be the most promising option with 22 goals in all competitions this season. The South African forward appears to have won the trust of Cardoso compared to high-priced Brazilian striker Arthur Sales and experienced poacher Peter Shalulile who is set to depart after this competition.

Ulsan HD (June 17)

An excellent opportunity for Sundowns to get off to a dream start. Ulsan have won the last three titles in South Korea’s K League 1 but have displayed indifferent form through eighteen league games this season. With a few current South Korea internationals and a strong defense, this team will be a fierce opponent but not one that can overwhelm Sundowns.

Borussia Dortmund (June 21)

Sundowns avoided Europe’s elite clubs and while Dortmund ended their 2024-25 season in hot form, they are far from the quality of other potential opponents from Pot 2 like Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus. Striker Serhou Guirassy and forward Karim Adeyemi are a potential nightmare for the Sundowns defense but getting a result is not necessarily “Mission: Impossible”. Regardless, Dortmund’s current form suggests that Sundowns could be in for suffering.

Fluminense (June 25)

Another favorable draw in comparison to who Sundowns might have faced, Fluminense appear to be the weakest team from Pot 1 which also included Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City as well as South American luminaries River Plate and Palmeiras. Sundowns will likely need a victory or draw in this match and the lack of notable star power outside of legendary Brazil defender Thiago Silva will give Masandawana hope.

While Sundowns supporters will not get the pleasure of seeing their team match wits with a world powerhouse on the level of Real Madrid or Manchester City, there is a real chance of qualifying for the knockout stages from this group. The opening match against Ulsan HD is a real opportunity for Sundowns to announce their intention to qualify for the Round of 16.

But it is difficult to fancy the South African champions because there are notable weaknesses, especially at the striker position and potentially in the heart of the defense. However, if certain players in the defense and attack can raise their level to match the occasion, the opportunity is there for Sundowns to show what they have on the world stage.

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