Steve Komphela
By Sello Masilo
Steve Komphela: Sundowns Excited to Represent Africa at the Club World Cup in USA
Mamelodi Sundowns are in buoyant spirits ahead of their campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this month, determined to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the CAF Champions League final to Egypt’s Pyramids last weekend. Departing from OR Tambo International Airport yesterday afternoon, the Brazilian-inspired side prepares to face Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense and Ulsan in Group F, with the opening match set for 18 June against South Korea’s Ulsan HD .
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Post-Champions League Resilience
The narrow defeat to Pyramids in the CAF Champions League final hit Masandawana hard. South African football fans saw Sundowns fall short after a 3–2 aggregate loss, despite qualifying as hot favourites . The setback, described by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams as “perhaps the hardest defeat of my career,” tested the squad’s resolve. The team responded by taking five days off to “re‑energise, get spark back” .
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Strength in Resetting
Captain Ronwen Williams reaffirmed the squad’s focus on the road ahead. Reflecting on their preparation, he said: “It was also important just to stay away from each other… these five days… to get spark back and obviously it was devastating… but we have to go again” . This reset embodies the club’s philosophy—viewing every tournament as another step forward.
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Steve Komphela’s Rallying Call: More Than Just Football
Assistant coach Steve Komphela, known for his passion and vision, urged players to embrace their role on a global stage. “That is gone… we have to look at the next calendar… we are excited to go to USA, it’s the World Cup” . In his pre‑departure address, he framed the tournament as “bigger and deeper than football” and a pivotal platform for African coaches and players. “We are African and we need to take pride in that… sport is a war without weapons… we fight for the people who cannot be there” .
Komphela emphasised that the team will represent not just Sundowns, but African football. “They profile us… they are going to say this is an African team we are African and we need to take pride in that” . With deep conviction, he urged players to stand tall and challenge stereotypes.
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The Opponents: Group F Competition
Sundowns will face a formidable Group F lineup at the expanded tournament, featuring champion clubs from four continents :
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany): Boasting striking talent like Serhou Guirassy and USMNT star Gio Reyna, favourites to progress .
• Fluminense (Brazil): Continental giants with strong defensive leadership in Thiago Silva .
• Ulsan HD (South Korea): AFC Champions League winners, disciplined and determined under key players Heo Yool and Um Won‑sang .
The depth of this group will challenge Sundowns, but the team’s offensive flair, featuring Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Igraam Rayners—top scorers in local football—adds confidence .
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Returning to History: Sundowns at Club World Cup
This marks Sundowns’ second appearance at the Club World Cup, following their debut in 2016. Then, representing CAF as African champions, they finished sixth after defeats to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Atlético Nacional . Today, they return with more experience and confidence, aiming to leave a stronger legacy.
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Team and Player Profiles
• Ronwen Williams (Goalkeeper & Captain): After the CAF final, Williams described the five‑day break as essential to reignite team energy .
• Tashreeq Matthews (Winger): Facing Borussia Dortmund, Matthews looks forward to competing against former teammates, with a personal connection driving his motivation.
• Neo Maema (Midfielder): Limited this season by various factors, Maema is eager to explore the tournament’s adventure, embracing the “new experience playing against the best clubs in the world” .
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Bigger Picture: FIFA’s Expanded Tournament and Team Identity
The 2025 edition is FIFA’s first 32‑team expanded Club World Cup, hosted across US venues, acting as a stage ahead of the 2026 national World Cup . Amid concerns around player welfare and tournament logistics, Sundowns focus on showcasing African excellence.
Komphela’s address positioned this competition as more than football—“an African team… representing Africa… sport without weapons” . This vision shifts narratives from superficial branding to asserting African identity on the world’s biggest clubs’ tournament.
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Sundowns’ Legacy and Club Culture
Under owner Patrice Motsepe, Sundowns have become Africa’s premier club. With 15 league titles, a CAF Champions League win, Super Cup triumph and African Football League crown in recent years, they lead with style—nicknamed “Bafana ba Style”—and played in the Club World Cup blanketly . Their possession-based style (“Shoe Shine & Piano”) showcases technicality rooted in tiki‑taka principles .
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Financial Stakes and Player Welfare
The expanded tournament carries a massive $1 billion prize fund, with potential winners receiving $125 million . Despite its financial lure, critics question player welfare amid compressed seasons. However, Sundowns, known for deep squads, face less risk thanks to experienced rotation and a rigorous fitness foundation.
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What is At Stake?
For Sundowns: A chance to demonstrate African football’s quality, overcome recent heartbreak and compete on a global stage.
For Komphela and the coaches: A platform to redefine perceptions of African managers in elite club football.
For players: A rare opportunity to test themselves against world-class opponents under the bright lights of the Club World Cup.
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Final Thoughts
Mamelodi Sundowns enter the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with a mission: to “embrace the next challenge”, to play with flair and pride, and to “sell an African product” – as Komphela put it – on a stage that matters . This tournament is not just about matches—it’s about identity, representation and rewriting stereotypes. Behind the smiles and sleek tracksuits at OR Tambo, there lies a determined message: this is Africa’s team, ready to be counted.
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