Former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena believes his former team is capable of holding their own at the FIFA Club World Cup against world-class opponents.
The Betway Premiership champions are in Group F alongside Ulsan HD (Korea), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), and Fluminense (Brazil).
They kick off their campaign against Ulsan on Wednesday, 18 June at midnight, before facing Dortmund on Saturday, 21 June (18:00), and Fluminense on Wednesday, 25 June (21:00).
“Group F is daunting, but they’re not out of their depth. Having coached Sundowns, I know the squad’s quality and mentality,” Mokwena told iDiski Times.
“Their European pre-season last year – wins over Go-Ahead Eagles, NEC Breda, Sparta Rotterdam and a draw with KAA Gent – proved they can handle high-level competition.”
Mokwena highlighted the team’s tactical intelligence and international experience, particularly through Bafana Bafana representation, as a key strength.
“Dortmund are favourites with their dynamic 4-2-3-1 and 2.1 goals per game average in the Bundesliga. Fluminense bring flair but are defensively inconsistent, while Ulsan’s 3-4-3 offers a disciplined, compact approach,” he explained.
“Sundowns’ strengths – midfield control and wing pace – could be decisive. If they replicate their 62% PSL possession rate and are clinical, four to six points is realistic.”