FIFACWC: “Borussia Dortmund gave Sundowns toughest competition” – Kekana

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana has stated that their second Group game against Borussia Dortmund was their toughest fixture at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America.

The 32-year-old featured in all matches for the Stylish Guys, who accumulated four points from three matches and eventually bowed out of the competition.

Sundowns opened their campaign with a slim 1-0 win over Korean club, Ulsan Hyundai before putting up a spirited performance against Dortmund, a game that ended 4-3 for the Bundesliga giants at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Last season’s CAF Champions League runners-up rounded up their Group F game with a goalless draw against Fluminense of Brazil – collecting four points in the process. Kekana admits that Dortmund gave Masandawana the toughest opposition at the expanded tournament.

“I think a good learning experience for us and the tournament that shows us that we are capable and we have the talent to compete and surely we did compete. In all I think in all the games we played I don’t think we were humiliated or over dominated to be honest we just ran out of time,” Kekana told the media.

The 32-year-old picked their game against Bundesliga giants, Borussia Dortmund as the toughest of all three groupo matches.

Sundowns and Dortmund sold out a 4-3 score line with the German’s running away with all three points despite the Betway Premiership side displaying great resilience.

Kekana said: “I think in terms of quality Dortmund is the hardest one, a lot of good movement off the ball, really good and very clinical in front of goal and it’s a game of small margins.

“I think the difference between us and being at the top is efficiency. We need to be a lot more efficient and more clinical when we have to compete with the best.

Kekana has urged African clubs to continue to believe in themselves when they are faced with European and other opponents at any tournament.

“I think [we African clubs need] to believe in ourselves a lot more. Sometimes we watch things on television and we think we can’t get there and we were able to come here and compete very well and put South Africa on the map, put Africa on the map, put the identity of Sundowns on map and it’s something we can be proud of.

“Obviously a lot to learn like the mistakes that we made like not being clinical in front of goal and it’s part of football but we stick together, we are a big group and we can be proud of our efforts.”

Sundowns, who won the Premier Soccer League title last season, will turn attention to next season’s continental and domestic competitions.