‘Mshishi’ has revealed what is giving the Brazilians confidence of success at the 23-team tournament
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane feels their experience at the 2023 African Cup of Nations will be vital for them at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
Next year’s tournament will have 32 teams following an expansion by FIFA with Sundowns joining the likes of Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Morocco’s Wydad AC as Africa’s representatives at the tournament with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich among the 12 teams from Europe.
Despite the expected tough competition, Zwane is counting on Bafana Bafana’s good run at the 2023 AFCON to get them over the line after South Africa, largely made up of Sundowns players, managed an impressive third place.
“We are not going there to just add numbers. We are highly motivated to go to the FIFA Club World Cup and compete, playing our brand of football against the best teams in the competition,” Zwane told the Mamelodi Sundowns magazine.
‘Our experience in AFCON showed us the standard and quality’
“It’s a stage that every professional player would want to show their talent and skill and gauge their standard.
“Our experience in AFCON showed us the standard and quality of continental talent, and we adjusted well. We played against players that play club football in Europe and you could see the standard and quality of football in the tournament. We’re ready, but still growing and improving.”
Sundowns will need to improve massively to have a chance against their Club World Cup opponents given they have not gone past the semi-final in the CAF Champions League in the last two seasons.
The Brazilians last won the Champions League in 2016 and can cast aside doubts about their Club World Cup credentials with victory in the continental competition in 2024-25.
