The Brazilians as the team is known in football circles beat South Korean side Ulsan HD 1-0 in a group F encounter, becoming the first African side to register a win at the tournament.
Oliver Ochieng
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are the first African club to earn US$2m at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the United States of America (USA).
The Brazilians as the team is known in football circles beat South Korean side Ulsan HD 1-0 in a group F encounter, in Orlando on Tuesday night, becoming the first African side to register a win at the tournament.
Iqraam Rayners found the back of the net in the 36th minute after an inviting pass from Lucas Rebeiro.
Rayners’ goal was enough to earn Mamelodi Sundowns the massive win, with his effort landing him the player of the match gong.
Addressing the press post-match, he said their main focus as a team was getting the first win to start the tournament on the right footing.
“I am happy we got it and we need to focus on the next game,” he said.
Rayners would have had a hattrick in the match. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) chalked off one effort for handball and another for a marginal offside call.
“It is always good to score goals. Two goals were disallowed and I just need to keep pushing and focus on the next two games.”
Besides the South Africa’s champions other Africa representatives are Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Espérance Sportive de Tunis of Tunisia and Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club, popularly known as Wydad Casablanca.
All the four African sides will receive a participation fee of US$9.55m. In addition to the participation fee, each group win will attract an additional US$2m, while a draw will see the teams’ pocket US$1m.
Sundowns earned US$2M after a win against Ulsan HD, while Al Ahly earned US$1m after managing a 0-0 draw against Lionel Andres Messi’s Inter Miami of US on Saturday.
Esperance are the only African side yet to earn a point, after going down 0-2 against Brazilian giants Flamengo in another match on Tuesday night.
The next African team on the pitch is Wydad Athletic Club, set to face defending champions Manchester City later today.
Al Ahly will be back in the fold on Thursday when they face Palmeiras of Brazil, before Esperance battle against Los Angeles FC on June 21.
Mamelodi Sundowns will be seeking for a second consecutive win when they face Borussia Dortmund on June 21.
The Germany side managed a 0-0 draw against Fluminense in the first match.
/SPNA
