Sundowns Set to Return Home After FIFA Club World Cup Campaign

Mamelodi Sundowns will return to South Africa on Saturday (28 June 2025) night following an exciting but tough campaign at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The Brazilians are expected to land at OR Tambo International Airport at 22:00 after their historic participation in Group F alongside Fluminense FC, Borussia Dortmund, and Ulsan HD.

Sundowns made a statement in their opening match when they shocked many by defeating Ulsan HD 1-0 at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando. Pundits and fans alike had doubted the South African champions after witnessing European giants Bayern Munich destroy Auckland City 10-0 in an earlier fixture. But the Brazilians showed resilience and tactical maturity to secure all three points against the South Korean champions and silence their critics.

Their second match saw Sundowns face German giants Borussia Dortmund in what turned out to be one of the most entertaining fixtures of the tournament. Sundowns stunned Dortmund by opening the scoring in the 11th minute through a brilliant strike from Lucas Ribeiro. However a costly blunder from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gifted Dortmund an equaliser and the floodgates opened. Khuliso Mudau unfortunately added to the misery with an own goal while Dortmund netted two more to make it 4-1.

Despite the uphill battle Sundowns refused to roll over. Goals from Iqraam Reiners and Lebo Mothiba gave the Brazilians hope but it was too little too late as they narrowly lost the thrilling encounter 4-3. One of the standout moments came in the 84th minute when head coach Miguel Cardoso introduced 19 year old Soweto-born Kutlwano Letlhaku. The exciting youngster had just joined the team fresh from winning the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with Amajita. Letlhaku wasted no time making his mark providing a brilliant assist for Mothiba’s goal which added gloss to Sundowns’ fighting spirit.

Needing a win in their final Group F clash to advance to the knockout stages Sundowns faced Brazilian outfit Fluminense FC. Unfortunately the match ended in a disappointing goalless draw which sealed Sundowns’ fate. The result left the South African champions finishing third in the group with four points while Fluminense secured five points and Dortmund topped the group with seven.

Despite their early exit Sundowns can be proud of their performances on the global stage as they not only won matches but also won the hearts of many across Africa and beyond. Their fearless display against Dortmund and their solid victory over Ulsan HD have given Mzansi football fans plenty to be optimistic about.

The Brazilians will now turn their focus back to domestic football as they begin their Betway Premiership off-season preparations. Fans will be eager to welcome the team home and celebrate their spirited showing at the world’s biggest club competition.