As anticipation builds for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Nigerian football official Samuel Olatunji-Okuku has praised the performances of African clubs participating in the tournament taking place in the United States.
Despite facing formidable opposition, African contenders Al Ahly, Wydad AC, Esperance, and Mamelodi Sundowns have exhibited outstanding resilience and a tenacious competitive drive.
The tournament kicked off with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly managing to hold Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez’s Inter Miami to an exhilarating goalless draw, while Mamelodi Sundowns left a mark on the competition by defeating Ulsan HD, the two-time AFC Champions League winners.
Although the Moroccan and Tunisian teams ultimately succumbed to Manchester City and Flamengo, their spirited displays and narrow margins challenged all negative forecasts.
“A distinctive feature of this FIFA Club World Cup is its unpredictability, as many clubs have limited insights into what to expect from their opponents,” Olatunji-Okuku noted.
“For instance, it’s unlikely that Manchester City analysed the last seven matches of Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in depth.”
“With many clubs facing one another lacking any substantial knowledge of each other, the tournament has become particularly thrilling. Just look at the Real Madrid versus Al-Hilal match; the result was unexpected for everyone.”
The 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and the Saudi club marked the end of their historic 11-match winning streak in the FIFA Club World Cup, spanning all previous formats, which stands as the longest ever recorded in the tournament’s history.
Realistic aspirations for African clubs
When questioned about the potential of African clubs in the tournament, Olatunji-Okuku maintained a balanced yet optimistic perspective.
While acknowledging the fierce competition ahead, he expressed his confidence in the continent’s progressing quality, resilience, and burgeoning ability to deliver surprising outcomes on the grandest stage of football.
He remarked: “I’m not placing high expectations on the African teams during this tournament, as the hurdles will only become more formidable.”
“With every match played, they will have increased chances to analyse and adjust to each other’s strategies.”
“I’ll be supporting them to exceed expectations as many may underestimate their capacity to compete, which could work in their favour. Ultimately, I hope they advance as far as possible.”
“Football is notoriously unpredictable, making it hard to predict if any African club will progress deeply in the tournament. Nevertheless, all have a genuine opportunity, having already surpassed expectations in their matches.”
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The enduring legacy of the Club World Cup for African teams
The FIFA Club World Cup not only offers African clubs the chance to compete against the best in the world but also serves as a critical opportunity to nurture sustainable football cultures that can rival the established giants of Europe and South America.
For years, African football has been celebrated for its raw talent, enthusiasm, and dynamic style of play. However, many clubs on the continent have struggled to translate these strengths into sustained success and global competitiveness.
Olatunji-Okuku emphasised, “The onus is on us to elevate the quality of our domestic leagues, enhance visibility, and attract investment.”
“While this tournament can demonstrate that our leagues are more robust than often perceived, drawing in substantial investments will demand much more effort.”
“We must concentrate on reinforcing the integrity of our leagues and implementing structural reforms. It is equally crucial to foster an environment that encourages investors to commit their resources without hesitation.”
“Exposure has never been the core issue for African football; it’s only part of the equation. Numerous leaders in African football serve on FIFA exec committees, traversing the globe, observing countless matches, and comprehending how top football functions,” he added.
“The primary challenge we face is bridging the financial disparity between our leagues and those in South America and Europe.”
“Africa boasts tremendous talent. This was clear during the last World Cup and in recent contests like Senegal against England. Our main priority now is investing in infrastructure and upholding the integrity of our leagues.”
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