FIFA CWC: Neo Maema welcomes adventure to erase Champions League debacle

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema believes taking part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be a great opportunity for the South African champions to rub shoulders with the best in the world and help erase their disappointment of losing in the CAF Champions League final.

Heading into the global tournament in the USA, Sundowns are coming from a difficult path which saw them lose the final of the Champions League, 3-2 on aggregate against eventual winners Pyramids FC of Egypt. After a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg final, Sundowns lost the return leg final 2-1 in Cairo.

According to Neo Maema, the FIFA Club World Cup will a perfect opportunity to help the team put the disappointment behind them. The South African Premier League champions have been drawn in Group F alongside CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense FC, German giants Borussia Dortmund and South Korea's Ulsan HD.

They will face Ulsan HD on Wednesday in the opener, take on Borussia Dortmund at TQL Stadium in matchday two on Saturday, June 21, before winding up their group stage fixtures against Fluminense at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, June 25.

“Of course, starting the season with so many expectations as a club and as an individual too, wanting to do well in one’s career, it was disappointing to get so close to the door,” said Maema ahead of their opener as quoted by Sowetan. “We kept on knocking, we knew it was going to be very difficult to win away. And we played against a good side.

“Sometimes when you get to the final and things don’t go your way, you don’t normally play your usual football — it’s what can happen. Obviously it’s disappointing but like I usually say, for 24 hours it’s a pain in the heart but we have to forget it.

“For two seasons in a row we went out in the Champions League semifinals — it’s something we don’t want to be lingering. It’s difficult but then we have to bounce back because we have a huge tournament to play.”

He continued: “We had a few days off to recuperate and collect our thoughts and just look forward because it’s another adventure, a new experience, we’re playing against the best clubs from around the world.

“So we’re looking forward to that and making sure we put this one [the Champions League] behind us. It’s a big opportunity to showcase our talent and do well.”

Mamelodi Sundowns' FIFA Club World Cup Group Stage Fixtures:

Tuesday, June 17 vs. Ulsan HD

• Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

• Time: 6:00 PM (Local Time) / 12:00 AM SAST (on June 18)

Saturday, June 21 vs. Borussia Dortmund

• Venue: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Time: 12:00 PM (Local Time) / 6:00 PM SAST

Wednesday, June 25 vs. Fluminense

• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Time: 3:00 PM (Local Time) / 9:00 PM SAST