Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena at the Loftus Versveld Stadium. Image: BackpagePix.
How Sundowns can qualify for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup…
Mamelodi Sundowns could be in for a massive payday provided their African rivals don’t make it past the Caf Champions League quarter-finals.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena at the Loftus Versveld Stadium. Image: BackpagePix.
Mamelodi Sundowns can qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup even if they fail to win this year’s Caf Champions League.
And here is how…
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS CAN EASILY QUALIFY FOR CLUB WORLD CUP
According to a statement released by FIFA on Friday, Sundowns will qualify for the prestigious Club World Cup IF Esperance de Tunis fail to reach the Caf Champions League semi-finals.
And that’s because Sundowns are ranked higher than Esperance, and by virtue of that, their chances are much higher.
Esperance take on ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday in the return leg of the quarterfinals. The two sides are locked at 0-0 from the first leg.
Either way, Esperance will need to either win the Caf Champions League or somehow overtake Sundowns in the ranking pathway in order for them to be at the Club Work Cup next year.
WHAT HAPPENS IF ESPERANCE LOSE?
In an event that Esperance lose to Mimosas, they will then need either Sundowns or Al Ahly to win the Caf Champions League to qualify.
As things stand, both Sundowns and Al Ahly stand a good chance but Esperance cannot be ruled out altogether.
WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR SUNDOWNS IF THEY QUALIFY FOR CLUB WORLD CUP?
Well, the Brazilians have everything to gain financially if they do qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
A massive R1 billion cheque is awaiting Sundowns should they make it to the tournament, and that’s just for qualifying.
Other monetary incentives will follow provided they do well at the tournament.
