Denis Onyango’s Mamelodi Sundowns etched their name into the history books as the first African club to register a win at the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, defeating South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai 1-0 in a tightly contested Group F opener.
Played at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, the match was initially delayed for an hour due to severe weather conditions. But once underway, it was Iqraam Rayners who shone brightest under the Florida lights.
Rayners, who was later named Man of the Match, struck in the 35th minute, finishing off a perfectly threaded pass from Lucas Ribeiro to beat the Ulsan defense and fire Mamelodi ahead.
The goal would stand as the winner after a disciplined and resolute defensive performance from the South African champions in the second half.
The result gives Sundowns an early advantage in Group F with three points. The group’s other fixture between Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and Brazil’s Fluminense ended in a stalemate, placing both sides behind Sundowns with a point each while Ulsan sits at the bottom.
The win is not just a significant boost to Sundowns’ campaign but a proud milestone for African football, signaling the growing competitiveness of clubs from the continent on the world stage.
Onyango’s side will next face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, June 21, in a much-anticipated clash while Fluminense take on Ulsan.
Group F will conclude on Wednesday, June 25, when Sundowns meet Fluminense and Dortmund wrap up against Ulsan Hyundai.
