The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, FIFA’s hallmark club tournament, is underway. Following Matchday 1 of the group stage fixtures, we bring you all the action from the four African Clubs at the Club World Cup.
AL AHLY VS INTER MIAMI
Al Ahly took on Inter Miami in the opening match of their Group D fixture at the Hard Rock Stadium, aiming for a strong start to the tournament.
Al Ahly dominated proceedings in the first half and were unlucky in front of the goal. Emam Ashour should have netted the Egyptian Club’s opener in the eighth minute but failed to beat Inter Miami’s goalkeeper from close range. The Egyptians attacked relentlessly, but were nullified on numerous occasions by Inter Miami’s goalie’s super reflexes. Al Ahly was awarded a penalty in the 41st minute through a stroke of fortune. Egyptian forward Trézéguet stepped up to take it, but he was denied brilliantly by the opposing goalkeeper.
Al Ahly had striker Wessam Abou Ali to thank for an instinctive goalline clearance to keep things level in the closing minutes of the first game. Both sides switched things up in the second half, but it was not enough. Al Ahly had goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to thank for pulling out several vital saves to deny Lionel Messi and his teammates. A goalkeeping masterclass from both Keepers as the two clubs saw a goalless draw. Group A is still open as all sides are on level points.
ES TUNIS VS FLAMENGO
Fortunes were reserved for Esperance De Tunis as they slumped to a two-nil defeat against Flamengo in their Group D fixture at the Lincoln Financial Field. The Brazilian club opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Giorgian de Arrascaeta as they picked Es Tunis apart piece by piece. Es Tunis’ best chance came in the 52nd minute, and Flamengo’s goalie kept the ball that seemed destined for the net expertly. Youcef Belaili came close from a lightning-fast counterattack, but he was denied by Flamengo’s goalkeeper. Araujo doubled the lead for Flamengo in the 70th minute with a stunning curling effort. The Tunisian Club is on the brink of elimination and has its work cut out.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS VS ULSAN HD
Mamelodi Sundowns took on Ulsan HD FC at the Inter & Co Stadium, aiming to secure maximum points against their South Korean opponents. Ulsan were dominant early on, but Sundowns grew into the game. Sundowns thought they grabbed the lead in the 31st minute through Iqraam Rayners, but the goal was cancelled as he was adjudged to have handled the ball with his hand.
The 29-year-old South African attacker was not to be denied five minutes later as Lucas Ribeiro Costa slipped him through on goal with an inch-perfect pass, and he capped off the well-worked team move clinically. The first goal by an African Club in the tournament! Rayners was it again in the 39th minute, but his sublime goal was ruled out for offside. The second half remained goalless, uneventful for most parts, as Sundowns clinched the three points, the first victory for an African side at the new-look tournament.
Rayner’s goal was the difference between both sides and the South African situation atop Group F, following Borussia Dortmund’s draw against Fluminense. A historic moment for the Masandanwa as they claimed their maiden victory in CWC history. They must avoid defeat in their remaining two matches to guarantee progression to the next round.
WYDAD AC VS MANCHESTER CITY
Wydad Casablanca succumbed to two first-half goals against Manchester City, unable to mount a fightback in the matchday 1 Group clash at the Lincoln Financial Field. The Cityzens went ahead through Phil Foden in the 2nd minute of the game, turning in the rebound from Savinho’s saved cross. City doubled their lead in the 42nd minute of the game. They had a great chance in the 32nd minute, but an unfortunate slip denied Thembinkosi Lorch of the goalscoring opportunity following some fine work from him.
City were in control for most of the game, and kept the Moroccan team at bay. Both sides made a couple of second-half substitutions; however, the half ended goalless. Wydad AC had goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid to thank for keeping the score minimal. The Moroccan side sits in third position in Group G, and they need to get maximum points from their remaining fixtures to stand a chance of progressing out of the group stages.
