FIFACWC: Ex-Mazembe midfielder Nii Adjei confident with African contingent

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns FC.

Former TP Mazembe midfielder, Daniel Nii Adjei has expressed confidence in Africa’s representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ongoing in the United States of America.

North African powerhouses Al Ahly, Esperance, Wydad Athletic Club and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are flying the flag of the continent for the one month long tournament.

After the first group games, Mamelodi Sundowns earned Africa’s first three points when they defeated Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai by 1-0 in the opening game with Al Ahly drawing goalless to Inter Miami FC of the USA.

Esperance lost 2-0 to Brazil club Botafogo with Wydad Athletic Club falling to Manchester City by 2-0, capping the first group games for the continent’s contingent.

Notwithstanding the patchy start to the opening day performance, Nii Adjei, who played at the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup with TP Mazembe in Japan, believes Africa can make an impact at the competition.

“Club World Cup means a lot to players and coaches and going there as an African team means that, the African competition is also doing well and African players are also working hard so it’s good for the club to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup,” Nii Adjei told Sporty FM.

When asked about whether the African representatives can go far in the one month long tournament, the 26-year-old expressed confidence in their abilities.

“It is possible, it is football and then in football on the day when you get your tactics and your players ready to fight for everything, you can get it. So on the day if they are ready to fight for every second ball, to go against them toe-to-toe, boot for boot, I think they can beat those teams.”

The expanded tournament which features 32 teams runs between June 14 to July 13, 2025.