In a tournament comprising 32 teams, four clubs represented the African continent: Al Ahly (Egypt), Espérance Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad AC (Morocco). Hosted in the United States during the off-season, the tournament had players, managers, supporters, and businesspeople eagerly anticipating the action. With Africa sending a strong contingent, the big question was whether the continent could truly compete at the top level against European powerhouses.
The Egyptian kings, Al Ahly, kicked off the tournament against American side Inter Miami. It was a highly anticipated fixture, not only because it was the opening match, but because it marked the first official game for Spanish coach José Luis Riveiro, who made a name for himself by leading Orlando Pirates to five trophies in three years. If one had only watched the first half, it would have been easy to believe Al Ahly were destined to win, given the number of chances they created. However, a missed penalty by David Trezeguet proved to be a turning point. In the second half, Inter Miami-packed with star power-took control, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. While not the worst result, it was definitely a missed opportunity.
The media quickly began questioning whether Riveiro was the right man for such a demanding club. In their second match, Al Ahly faced Brazilian giants Palmeiras and suffered a 2-0 defeat, which severely hurt their chances of progressing. Their final group game against Porto saw them lead four times in a dramatic contest, but they failed to close out the match and were eliminated with just one point-becoming the first African team to exit the tournament.
Espérance Tunis, the 2011 CAF Champions League winners, were drawn against Flamengo RJ in their opening game. The Brazilians showed no mercy, handing the Tunisian side a 2-0 defeat. However, Espérance revived their hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, which set up a decisive clash with Chelsea. Unfortunately, the 2021 UEFA Champions League champions proved too experienced, cruising to a 3-0 win that sealed Espérance’s exit.
Mamelodi Sundowns brought some much-needed pride to the continent. They were the first African team to secure a win in the tournament and followed it up with a thrilling 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund in one of the competition’s most entertaining matches. That result meant their final group game against Fluminense was crucial. A win would see them through, but a goalless draw saw them finish third in the group, just one point behind the Brazilians. Despite the heartbreak, Sundowns walked away with four points and the respect of many, having showcased the growth of African football on the world stage.
Wydad Casablanca’s campaign was disappointing. After back-to-back losses to Manchester City and Juventus, they are already eliminated ahead of their final fixture against Al Ain. While both sides will be playing only to honor the fixture, it presents another chance for individual talents to shine – notably Thembinkosi Lorch, whose performances have caught the eye despite his team’s struggles.
In the end, while all four African teams failed to advance past the group stages, Mamelodi Sundowns stood out as the most competitive side. Their performances were a clear sign of African football’s evolution, especially at club level. Though the results were not in our favor, the fight, flair, and character shown – particularly by Sundowns – prove that the gap is narrowing. With more exposure, investment, and experience, Africa’s time on the Club World Cup stage is surely coming.
