Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Ko Seungbeom of Ulsan during the Fifa Club World Cup 2025 group F match at Inter&Co Stadium on 17 June 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images) 
As if the financial disparity between Mamelodi Sundowns and their Premiership rivals was not already stark enough, the Brazilians will walk away even richer when their Club World Cup campaign in the US concludes.
A 1-0 victory over South Korean side Ulsan saw Sundowns significantly boost their chances of making it to the knockout stage of the beleaguered tournament. Bafana Bafana forward Rayners breached the Ulsan defence on 36 minutes at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The Mitchells Plain-born attacker could have had a hat-trick in the opening stanza, but he had a couple of goals ruled out. One for handball and another for offside. Nevertheless, the serial South African champions held on to claim an important win in their first outing at the rejigged global tournament — which has so far struggled to garner the type of hype organiser Fifa hoped it would generate.
In control
Following the win, the Brazilians lead Group F after the first round of matches. The other two teams in the group — Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense of Brazil — played out to an underwhelming 0-0 draw. Despite this result between the Brazilians’ main two rivals for a place in the round of 16, their Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso believes their path to the knockout stage will only steepen.
Cardoso also suggested that the warm US summer weather had played a part in the low intensity of matches so far, but the 53-year-old added that there was nothing much to be done and his team would have to find a way to increase their intensity for the remainder of the tournament.
“I didn’t see the game, my assistants did. I was finalising a power point presentation for the (pre-match) meeting with my players and focused on this game (against Ulsan). I heard the game was not intense,” Cardoso said of the clash between his club’s biggest competitors.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2220636960.jpg "Miguel Cardoso, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. (Photo: Dan Mullan / Getty Images)")
“There are questions too about whether our game was very intense. I am curious (to see the Dortmund-Fluminense game). Because as much as we want, the heat and conditions take out the possibility to perform physically,” Cardoso said.
“It’s very important that after this victory we can make the next two games competitive because we are going to play against the best ones now… We are so keen for it,” the Portuguese tactician stated.
Lukewarm start
In keeping with the theme of the World Cup so far, the 25,000-seater stadium in which Sundowns and Ulsan did battle was almost empty. Chatter among players on the field could clearly be heard, even as the paltry fans tried to spur on the teams.
Sundowns will not care too much about that though. Each of the four African clubs participating in the tournament is guaranteed $9.55-million (about R170-million) for their participation. In addition, all participating teams will earn $2.0-million per win and half of that for every draw.
Already backed by Patrice Motsepe’s billions, it’s not money that Sundowns needs. But it is money that they will put to great use as they look to maintain their dominance of South African soccer. Masandawana recently clinched an eighth consecutive league title.
Where the money might help Sundowns’ cause is in the African Champions League, where the Pretoria side once again fell short during the 2024/25 season.
They were vanquished by Egyptian side Pyramids in what was a third appearance in the continental competition’s decider. They only have one win to show for it thus far. The World Cup may help in this quest for a second Champions League conquest.
Next up for the South Africans is a tussle with Dortmund. It takes place on Saturday, 21 June. Kick-off is at 6pm. DM