Euphoria engulfed Chloorkop on Thursday afternoon as the official FIFA Club World Cup trophy was unveiled at the Mamelodi Sundowns headquarters.
The Brazilians are one of the four teams alongside Al Ahly, Esperance Sportive de Tunis and Wydad Casablanca who’ll represent Africa at the event.
This global showpiece will be staged in the US between June 14 and July 15, but FIFA have already started with their trophy tour.
Sundowns were the first team to see the cup on the continent before it made its way to North Africa – Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco respectively.
The Brazilians made their respective debut in the World Cup in 2016 after winning their maiden CAF Champions League crown under coach Pitso Mosimane.
Since then, they’ve huffed and puffed in their bid to add another star above their crest in the last nine years without success. The closest they came was in the semis.
However, thanks to a qualifying point system for this year’s edition – which includes 32 teams from across the globe for the first time ever – Sundowns finally cut the mustard.
The arrival of the World Cup trophy at the headquarters on Thursday was met with excitement as chairman Tlhopie Motsepe led the staff, technical team and players.
#TakeItToTheWorld! 🏆 @FIFACWC#Sundowns #FIFACWC #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/GgApCeyWgi
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 6, 2025
Club captain Themba Zwane, who’s one of the two players, alongside Denis Onyango, still remaining from the 2016 squad that conquered Africa, spoke of returning to the global showpiece.
“It is a very special moment for the whole team. We’ve been waiting for this moment, and it has come. It’s here now!” Zwane explained.
“Today, we got see the trophy and take pictures with it as well. So, for us, it’s just excitement.
“The level was too high (in our last Club World Cup). As a team, we learned a lot, though. I think this time, we are ready.”
The Skipper & The Trophy ©️🏆 @FIFACWC#Sundowns #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/LLqVH74ibg
The South Africans find themselves in a tough Group F alongside German powerhouses Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense FC of Brazil, as well as Ulsan HD of Korea.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso added that plans from the club are already afloat to ensure that they do not just make up the numbers in the US in winter.
“The club is working backstage on everything,” Cardoso explained.
“At the moment, we have almost finished everything regarding the World Cup.
“It’s also something that’s not in my way. But in terms of scouting and analysing teams, that’s something that’s affecting the coach.
“We must decide whether we want to have friendly matches or not. Anyway, there’ll not be a lot of time when the Premiership ends, especially if we arrive in the Champions League final.
“We need to start scouting our teams now. We have our plan. But the club is working hard to ensure that everything is done in terms of organising.”
Cardoso counts himself as a lucky man. That he was responsible for eliminating Sundowns in the Champions League semi-final last season, only to coach the same team in the World Cup, is a privilege.
“It’s a big privilege that arrived in a moment where in the last qualifiers, we were able to get points to reach the Club World Cup,” Cardoso added.
“I am happy as well because not only did I help Esperance to qualify for the World Cup, but I had the privilege to come to Mamelodi Sundowns and go to the Club World Cup.”