The FIFA Club World Cup trophy
All four African sides exited the FIFA Club World Cup at the completion of the group stages in a tough outing for teams from the continent.
Despite the exits, there were some positive takeaways, particularly with Mamelodi Sundowns boosting their global reputation through their performances.
African teams played 12 games, yielding 2 wins, 3 draws, and 7 losses, with 11 goals and conceding 23.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s campaign.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (SOUTH AFRICA)
Coach: Miguel Cardoso (Portugal)
Finish: 3rd in Group F
Record: P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4
Top scorer: Iqraam Rayners – 2
Mamelodi Sundowns’ FIFA Club World Cup campaign ended with a 0-0 draw against Fluminense in their final group game, despite dominating the match.
They had created scoring opportunities but couldn’t capitalise on them to advance to the knockout stage.
Despite the exit, Sundowns won the hearts of fans with their attacking style and entertaining football.
Earlier, they had beaten Ulsan Hyundai 1-0 thanks to Iqraam Rayners’ goal and also put up a spirited fight against Borussia Dortmund, despite losing with a score line of 4-3.
ESPERANCE (TUNISIA)
Coach: Maher Kanzari (Tunisia)
Finish: 3rd in Group D
Record: P3 W1 D0 L2 GF1 GA5
Top scorer: Mohamed Belaili – 1
Esperance de Tunis secured a win in their group stage against Los Angeles FC in Nashville, but suffered heavy defeats in their other two matches, finishing third in their group.
They began with a 2-0 loss to Flamengo, then beat LAFC, but were eliminated after a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in their final match, where two goals in first-half stoppage time sealed their fate.
AL AHLY (EGYPT)
Coach: Jose Riveiro (Spain)
Finish: 4th in Group A
Record: P3 W0 D2 L1 GF4 GA6
Top scorer: Wessam Abou Ali – 3
Ahly, under new coach Jose Riveiro, had their chances in this pool. They were by far the better team in their 0-0 draw with Inter Miami in the tournament opener, where they missed a penalty and spurned several other golden chances.
They were well beaten 2-0 by Brazilian side Palmeiras in their second game, but led three times against FC Porto before settling for a 4-4 draw in one of the games of the group stages.
Had they finished off Inter and Porto, as they should have, they would have topped the pool but instead, they ended up in the bottom.
WYDAD CASABLANCA (MOROCCO)
Coach: Amine Benhachem (Morocco)
Finish: 4th in Group G
Record: P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA8
Top scorer: Thembinkosi Lorch, Casius Mailula – 1
Wydad Casablanca struggled in their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, losing all three matches. Both of their goals in the tournament were scored by South Africans.
They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, followed by a 4-1 thrashing by Juventus, where Thembinkosi Lorch scored a stunning goal to temporarily reduce the deficit.
In their final match, Casius Mailula gave Wydad an early lead against Al Ain, but they ultimately lost 2-1.
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