By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns have found something to cheer about despite Friday’s CAF Champions League heartbreak.
The Brazilians were kicked out of the continental tournament by Esperance following a 1-0 defeat at Loftus Versfeld.
It was a result which saw the Tunisians sealing a 2-0 aggregate victory following their slim win at home last weekend.
But despite Sundowns bowing out of the Champions League, they earned themselves a spot at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
They will be one of Africa’s four representatives at the global club tournament to be hosted by the United States of America.
“Tonight’s CAF Champions League semi-final results mean Mameloldi Sundowns and Esperance have qualified for the Fifa Club World Cup 2025,” Fifa confirmed.
“From South Africa to the USA, Sundowns are Fifa Club World Cup-bound.”
In securing a World Cup berth, the Brazilians remained ranked as the third-best African club by the world football governing body.
They are behind Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca who automatically qualified and, interestingly, ahead of Esperance who eliminated them from the Champions League.
Just qualifying for the Club World Cup comes with a financial windfall of €50m (R1 billion), and that would boost Sundowns’ coffers and could motivate them to go full throttle in the transfer market.
The Brazilians last participated at the Club World Cup in 2016 in Japan where they lost 2-0 to host team Kashima Antlers and 4-1 to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
