“African contingent will do well at the Fifa Club World Cup” - Daniel Nii-Adjei
19th June 2025
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Former TP Mazembe and Asante Kotoko midfielder, Daniel Nii Adjei has expressed absolute confidence in Africa’s representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup which kicked off on Saturday, June 14 2025 in the United States of America.
North African powerhouses Al Ahly of Egypt, Esperance of Tunisia, Wydad Athletic Club of Moroyand South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are hoisting the flag of the African continent so high for a period of one month at the tourney.
After the first group games, Mamelodi Sundowns earned Africa’s first three points when they defeated South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai by 1-0 in the opening game with Al Ahly drawing goalless to Inter Miami FC of the USA.
Tunisian side Esperance lost 2-0 to Brazilian outfit Botafogo whilst Wydad Athletic Club fell short to English side Manchester City by 2-0, capping the first group games for the continent’s contingent.
Inspite of the disappointing start to the opening day performance for the three African teams , Nii Adjei, who played at the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup with TP Mazembe in Japan, believes Africa can still make an impact at the competition.
“Club World Cup means a lot to players and coaches and going there as an African team means that, the African competition is also doing well and African players are also working hard so it’s good for the club to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup,” Nii Adjei told Sporty FM.
When asked about whether the African representatives can go far in the one month long tournament, the 37-year-old former King Faisal midfielder expressed utmost confidence in their abilities.
“It is possible, it is football and then in football on the day when you get your tactics and your players ready to fight for everything, you can get it. So on the day if they are ready to fight for every second ball, to go against them toe-to-toe, boot for boot, I think they can beat those teams.”
The expanded tournament which features 32 teams runs between June 14 to July 13, 2025.