Okocha warns Sundowns & Co. ahead of World Cup – ‘Don’t go with much expectations’

Nigeria legend Jay Jay Okocha has warned African clubs against over-anticipating in the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup that will be played in the United States from Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 14.

Africa will be represented by the defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance, Wydad Athletic, and Al Ahly. Masandawana, just like the other three teams from the continent, have already pocketed R174 million by reaching the global stage.

The South African outfit has been placed in Group F alongside Fluminense, Ulsan HD, and German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund. Ahead of the competition, the Super Eagles legend was asked about the chances of the teams from the continent.

Go, enjoy and try the best

Okocha argues this will be a competition that will bring much-needed experience to the teams, but warned against setting the bar high since that might end in frustrations.

“I think I wouldn’t be going there with much expectations because it’s really the first time. And it’s all about us [Africans] testing ourselves, find out where we are in world football,” he said during the Bundesliga Media Visit in Germany.

“But I think that experience will help us to grow our leagues [in Africa]. I think we just have to go there and enjoy, try the best that we can be, and bring the experience back home and try to build.”

The Brazilians will play their first game on June 17 against Ulsan before tackling Dortmund five days later. Their final Group F fixture will be against Fluminense on June 25.