logo
International pundits rave about Sundowns' football at World Cup

International pundits rave about Sundowns' football at World Cup

TimesLIVE3 days ago

It is a source of national pride to see some of the international reactions to Mamelodi Sundowns' impressive performances at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup (CWC) in the US.
Downs had something of a baptism of fire at their first CWC appearance in the old seven-team format in Osaka in 2016, losing 2-0 to host Japanese club Kashima Antlers and 4-1 to South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
In 2025 Sundowns got their first-ever CWC victory when they beat South Korea's Ulsan HD in their 1-0 opening Group F win in Orlando, Florida.
The Pretoria team then went toe-to-toe with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling 4-3 defeat in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday that has been hailed as one of the games of the tournament.
Downs will reach the last 16 if they upset famous Brazilian outfit Fluminense in their final Group F clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Wednesday night (9pm).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Paulinho scores in 100th minute as Palmeiras eliminates Botafogo
Paulinho scores in 100th minute as Palmeiras eliminates Botafogo

TimesLIVE

time19 minutes ago

  • TimesLIVE

Paulinho scores in 100th minute as Palmeiras eliminates Botafogo

Substitute Paulinho scored his second goal of the Fifa Club World Cup 10 minutes into extra time to lift Brazil's Palmeiras to a 1-0 victory over domestic rivals Botafogo in Saturday's second-round clash at Philadelphia. Paulinho's low strike, which took a slight deflection off Botafogo defender Alexander Barboza before rolling into the bottom left corner, makes the Brazilian side the tournament's first quarterfinalist. Palmeiras will play again in Philadelphia next Friday against the winner of Saturday's later match between Chelsea and Benfica. Palmeiras increased the pressure after halftime. Just over a minute into the second half, Estevao's effort from the edge of the penalty arc forced John into his first stop, a diving denial to his right. Then in the 60th, John had to make sure he held Mauricio's well-struck low effort from the edge of the penalty area through traffic. Manager Abel Ferreira removed the influential Estevao and Vitor Roque in the 64th minute.

Orlando Pirates player told to thank ancestors and God
Orlando Pirates player told to thank ancestors and God

The South African

time2 hours ago

  • The South African

Orlando Pirates player told to thank ancestors and God

They call him the Master Chef. Orlando Pirates will compete in next season's Betway Premiership with Sipho Mbule as one of the new options in central midfield. The 27-year-old from Bethlehem, Free State, was available on a free transfer after Mamelodi Sundowns opted against a contract renewal on his expired deal. According to reports, Mbule lost his place at Sundowns after he had reported for training under the influence of alcohol. His agent, Mike Makaab, soon offered Mbule to Kaizer Chiefs, but Amakhosi seemingly took too long to make a decision. Kaizer Chiefs news: Amakhosi money and another star from Europe Sipho Mbule at Sekhukhune United. Image: SuperSport TV While many were still anticipating Amakhosi's decision, the Buccaneers astounded the nation via X, Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday: 'Orlando Pirates is pleased to welcome Sipho Mbule to the Club,' the short statement ended. Orlando Pirates news: Sipho Mbule and a special meeting According to Khanye, whose playing career was cut short due to the same ill-discipline with alcohol, Mbule should realise he is a lucky man. Khanye feels that the new Orlando Pirates midfielder, given the due commitment and discipline, has the talent to make the Bafana Bafana squad for Afcon 2025. 'Let me be honest, I'm surprised, and he is very lucky,' said Khanye on iDiski TV . 'But he must know one thing, this is a last chance he has now because we have seen players previously at the club who have had the same problems, and they got rid of them. 'Even though fans loved them, the club got rid of them and their careers ended. If you leave Orlando Pirates under such a cloud, it's over. 'Mbule is so lucky, and he must thank his ancestors, God and age for being on his side. He really needs to understand that he is done if anything happens with him at Orlando Pirates. 'I compliment his God-given talent. The boy is one of the best, one of the most talented players, and I cannot wait to see him play with [Patrick] Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, [Mohau] Nkota and [Tshegofatso] Mabasa. 'It's his last chance and if he trains properly, get game time he may even go to the AFCON if he gets his act together,' Khanye concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Mokwana, Mailula, Lorch step up as Africa falls short on global stage
Mokwana, Mailula, Lorch step up as Africa falls short on global stage

IOL News

time5 hours ago

  • IOL News

Mokwana, Mailula, Lorch step up as Africa falls short on global stage

Wydad AC footballer Thembinkosi Lorch in action against Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup arrived with much promise for African football, particularly for South Africa as Mamelodi Sundowns carried the hopes of the nation onto the global stage. Alongside them stood continental heavyweights Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club, and Esperance de Tunis — four clubs that have dominated African football over the past decade. However, the group stage brought a harsh reality. None of the four African sides progressed to the round of 16, and while there were moments of quality, the early exits laid bare the concerning gap between Africa's best and the rest of the world. It was a tournament that underlined how far African clubs still have to go to match their counterparts in Europe, South America, and parts of Asia. Yet within the overall disappointment, there were bright sparks — none more so than Sundowns. The Premiership champions stood out as the most competitive African side, finishing with four points from their three matches. A thrilling 4-3 loss against Borussia Dortmund, a hard-fought 1-0 win over HD Ulsan, and a resilient goalless stalemate against Brazilian giants Fluminense left them agonisingly short of progression. Still, their performances did more than earn respect — they proved that they have matured into a club capable of standing toe-to-toe with the game's elite. Their showing was not just about results; it was a statement of growth. Years of investment, sound football management, and a focus on developing local and continental talent have made them a standard bearer for African football. For South Africa, the tournament also offered a positive subplot. Several Bafana Bafana players gained vital experience on the global stage — something national coach Hugo Broos will be keen to build on ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Elias Mokwana

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store