Defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been placed in a relatively manageable Group F in the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
Masandawana will have to get past South American heavyweights, Brazilians Fluminense, Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, and Ulsan HD from Korea. It will be a massive test for the South Africans who managed to evade tougher opponents like Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and the like.
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi can now start studying his opponents as he hopes to make a statement by taking the first two positions to advance to the knockout phase.
Who will Tau's Al Ahly, Wydad AC of Mokwena, and Mokwana's Esperance play?
Percy Tau's Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club which is coached by Rulani Mokwena, and Esperance of Tunisia who signed Elias Mokwana, are the other three teams in the global competition.
The Red Devils are in Group A alongside Palmeiras of Brazil, Portuguese side Porto, and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. It is still not clear whether Tau will be at the club to rub shoulders with the Argentina legend owing to his uncertain future at his current club.
Mokwana's Esperance have been placed in Group D with Flamengo, Chelsea, and Club Leon.
Mokwena will have a chance to play against his role model Pep Guardiola of Manchester City with Wydad Casablanca. Other teams in Group G are Al Ain FC and Juventus.
2025 Fifa World Cup Groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Benfica, Boca Juniors
Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, Club Leon, Esperance Sportive de Tunis
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, CF Monterrey, Inter
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad AC, Al Ain FC, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, CF Pachuca, FC Salzburg
