15th-21st June 2025: Top Picks in African Sport This Week

It’s been a landmark week for sports in Africa, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup taking centre stage. 

Sport Blot brings you a comprehensive analysis covering thrilling sports activities on the continent this week.

Mamelodi Sundowns Kick Off Club World Cup Campaign With Victory

Mamelodi Sundowns are off to a fantastic start already because on June 18, they faced Ulsan HD in their Group F Campaign, and Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal in the 36th minute that sealed their first victory in the tournament.

Two additional goals were disallowed for the South African striker, one for a handball and the second for a very close call on offside.

A lightning storm caused an hour-long delay in the game, requiring both teams to head back to their locker rooms before play. It ended up being the tournament's least attended game to date.

So, what’s next for the South African giants? They sit pretty on top of the Group F table with three points in their bag. They go on to face German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile, Ulsan HD goes up against Fluminense.

Palmeiras Grinds Out Win Over Al Ahly Following 40-Minute Delay

Palmeiras emerged victorious against Al Ahly in a 2-0 defeat at the FIFA Club World Cup after a “severe weather” caused play to be halted for 40 minutes in the second half.

Dark Clouds began to form above the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the 62nd minute, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to stop play.

Shortly after halftime, the Brazilian team broke the tie when Achraf Dari, a defender for the Egyptian side, headed a free kick into his own net.

After a total of 257 minutes of play, that was the first goal scored by any side in Group A.

It didn't take Palmeiras long to double their lead ten minutes later via a goal from replacement Jose Lopez.

Lopez showed muscle and poise to finish a counterattack after missing an outstanding chance just two minutes after his halftime introduction.

After midfielder Raphael Veiga's red card was overturned, the video assistant referee gave Palmeiras a reprieve, which led to both goals.

Coming up next, Al Ahly is currently facing a potential Club World Cup exit with only one point secured following a draw with Lionel Messi’s side, Inter Miami.

They will be going up against FC Porto next and a crucial win is essential to advance to have a shot in advancing to the round of 16 of the competition.

Palmeiras will play Inter Miami for their final group stage game with both already securing four points in the tournament.

Esperance De Tunis Stun LAFC 1–0, Eliminate MLS Side from Club World Cup

In the biggest shock of the Club World Cup so far, Esperance De Tunis claimed a 1–0 victory over Los Angeles FC in Group D action at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday night. The result eliminates LAFC from the competition after just two group-stage matches.

Algerian midfielder Youcef Belaili was the hero for the Tunisian side, scoring a classy 70th-minute goal past veteran goalkeeper and former World Cup champion Hugo Lloris.

LAFC were handed a lifeline deep into stoppage time when Esperance’s Khalil Guenichi committed a foul in the area, granting a penalty in the 98th minute. However, star forward Denis Bouanga saw his low effort saved brilliantly by Bechir Ben Said, crushing the MLS side’s hopes of a comeback.

Throughout the match, LAFC managed only a single shot on target, as Esperance dictated the tempo and flow of the game, earning a well-deserved win.

With this result, Esperance will now face Chelsea in their final Group D match, knowing a win could secure their spot in the knockout phase. Meanwhile, LAFC will take on group leaders Flamengo, having no chance to advance after suffering two consecutive defeats. LAFC will face Flamengo in their final group match.

RECOMMENDED: Top African Players to Watch: FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Wydad Casablanca Fall Short as Guardiola’s Men Seal Crucial First Victory

Defending champions Manchester City saw victory over Moroccan side Wydad AC in their FIFA Club World Cup opener in Philadelphia.

As the overwhelming favourites, Pep Guardiola's team got off to a great start as Foden scored from 12 yards out just two minutes in. Three minutes before halftime, Jeremy Doku tucked home the 25-year-old's inswinging corner.

Nordin Amrabat, a debutant who had stints in England with Watford and, most recently, Hull, was Wydad's most famous player. His teammates showed signs of hope at the interval, but they were unable to break Ederson's goal.

Wydad face Italian giant Juventus in their next fixture of the tournament, while Manchester City will look to maintain their victory run against Al Ain.

Crystal Palace Open Transfer Talks With Sporting for Defender Diomande

Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace are negotiating a transfer for centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of captain Marc Guehi, who has only 12 months left on his contract, the FA Cup winners are hoping to bolster their defence this summer.

Palace has made Diomande, 21, a significant target, but it's unclear if the two teams can come to an agreement for the central defender, who has drawn interest from all across Europe.

At an estimated £40 million, the Ivory Coast international would break the club's previous transfer record of £32 million for Christian Benteke in 2016.

Jackson Sent Off as Flamengo beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Club World Cup

During Chelsea's second-half collapse against Flamengo at the FIFA Club World Cup, Nicolas Jackson was sent off four minutes after entering the game as a replacement.

Pedro Neto gave the Blues the lead, but in a terrible six-minute stretch after halftime, they gave up two goals and sent Jackson off.

The Premier League squad had a good start following Neto's cool finish under the goalkeeper's knees, but the Brazilian team took the lead with similar far-post tap-ins from substitute Bruno Henrique and Danilo.

After Jackson's studs made contact with Lucas Ayrton's shin in an ugly challenge, referee Ivan Barton promptly sent Jackson out, and Wallace Yan completed the scoring to give Chelsea a devastating 3-1 loss.

The Blues now need to defeat ES Tunis of Africa on Wednesday to advance to the round of 16, but it also raises the likelihood that they will play the winner of Group C, which might be Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich.

Mohamed Salah Nominated for PFA’s Players’ Player of the Year Award

The six nominees for the Professional Footballers' Association's Players' Player of the Year award include Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

Egypt's Salah, who has already won the Premier League Player of the Season title, is one of Liverpool's two nominations, along with Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister, a midfielder.

Salah, who finished the previous season with 29 goals and 18 assists, is trying to win the trophy for a record-breaking third time.

U.S. Basketball Training Camp in Senegal Cancelled After Visa Denials

The Prime Minister of Senegal has cancelled a training camp for the women's basketball team in the United States, citing the denial of US visas for some members of the team as the reason.

The squad will now train "in a sovereign and conducive setting" in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, according to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

This coincides with news that the United States intends to put new travel restrictions on Senegal and 25 other African nations.