Africa-Press – Mauritius. Egyptian side Al Ahly, Tunisian side Esperance, Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca, and South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns are ready to make history at the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the US this week.
The new tournament brings together 32 of the best clubs in the World for a summer of football in North America where 81 nations will be represented.
Al Ahly kicks off the tournament on Sunday morning against Leo Messi’s Inter Miami.
Esperance Tunis will take on Flamengo on Wednesday morning in Philadelphia with Wydad taking on Man City later in the day.
Sundowns open the campaign against South Korean outfit Ulsan HD.
22 countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, and Guinea, will have players at the World Cup for the very first time.
Namibia’s Peter Shalulile can’t wait to make history with Mamelodi Sundowns.
“It’s a massive achievement, wishing for many more Namibians to reach that stage because it’s possible,” said Shalulile, who has played at two CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments for Namibia and captained the side that beat Tunisia 1-0 in 2024 to claim their first-ever win in the competition.
“Because if I can go there, it means that anything is possible. If you want to achieve it, it’s there for you to go out and achieve it”.
“(Namibians are) excited, waiting on that day where it’s going to kick off, sat in their homes, glued to the TV screens, waiting to see their boy doing well in the FIFA (Club) World Cup,” he added.
Kenyan referee Stephen Yembe is among the assistant referees in charge of the tournament.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
