Shaun Bartlett: SA Coach Explains Why African Clubs Failed at FIFA Club World Cup

• Shaun Bartlett explains why African clubs failed to reach the knockout stages at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States
• African representation included Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad Athletic Club
• The South African mentor and Bafana Bafana legend offers insight into the challenges faced by African clubs in the expanded tournament

South African tactician Shaun Bartlett has explained why African clubs failed to make the knockout stages at the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America.

Four clubs, Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club, represented Africa in the first edition of the expanded tournament by the football governing body.

Mamelodi Sundowns had a great tournament despite crashing out in the group phase. They defeated Ulsan HD in their first match before losing narrowly to Borussia Dortmund in the second game.

The Brazilians had the chance to qualify for the knockout stage if they had gotten a win against Fluminense in their final group game but the match ended in a goalless draw.

The Premier Soccer League giants ended the tournament as the best African club as they gathered four points out of a possible nine and leaving the competition with a fat cheque from FIFA.

Bartlett on African club's struggle at FIFA CWC

Bartlett in a recent interview pointed out some of the things African clubs are still missing after all of the four teams crashed out in the group stage.

"The biggest issue I’ve noticed with African teams is something we've often discussed in the Betway Premiership, our conversion rate in front of goal is simply too low," Bartlett said on the OmniAudioAfrica YouTube channel.

"You can't create 14 chances in a game and only get two shots on target. At the higher levels of football, whether on the continent or internationally—those fine margins make all the difference."

The former Kaizer Chiefs player hailed Cassius Mailula and Thembinkosi Lorch for their performance at the competition, and acknowledged the pool of talent in African football.

"Take Wydad for example. Players like Cassius Mailula and Thembinkosi Lorch were outstanding, especially Lorch, who really made a name for himself with his performance."

"We have immense talent across Africa, but the key lies in developing it from an early age. When it comes to finishing and decision-making in front of goal, those are skills that must be taught young. What you learn at that stage stays with you throughout your career. That’s an area where we still need to improve."

Pyramids FC have already secured their qualification for the next edition of the tournament after winning the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.

Sundowns and the rest need to perform better in the CAF competition for them to seal a place in the competition in 2029.

How much Sundowns made at FIFA Club World Cup

Briefly News also give a detailed information about how much Sundowns earned at the FIFA Club World Cup after crashing out in the group stage of the competition.

The PSL giants were the African side that earned the most out of all their continental counterparts.

Source: Briefly News