Fifa Club World Club African focus: Thembinkosi Lorch shows his class against Manchester City as Iqraam Rayners stars for Mamelodi Sundowns, but tough luck for Elias Mokwana & Cassius Mailula while pressure mounts for Al Ahly's Jose Riveiro

Riveiro, once the golden boy of South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, has officially taken the reins at Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly and what a stage to begin on, the Fifa Club World Cup, where Al Ahly drew blanks with the Americans. The Spaniard entered with a reputation forged through silverware-laden seasons in Soweto, and his new charges didn’t disappoint. Up against Lionel Messi’s star-studded Inter Miami, Al Ahly showed poise, purpose, and power.

Messi, who almost got into hot water, and his teammates were left chasing shadows for much of the game, with the Red Devils commanding possession and creating chances. Unfortunately, clinical finishing let them down, most notably with Trezeguet squandering a penalty. Still, with FC Porto and Palmeiras also playing out a goalless draw, Group A remains wide open. A decisive performance against Palmeiras in the next fixture could very well see Riveiro’s men march into the knockout stages. The dream is still alive.

Esperance’s Club World Cup campaign got off to a rocky start with a 2-0 defeat to Brazilian champions Flamengo. With a negative goal difference already on the books, the Tunisian titans are in a precarious position. But football history offers comfort: remember Spain’s 2010 World Cup run? After losing to Switzerland in their opening match, they rebounded all the way to glory.

Esperance must channel that resilience and bounce back when they face MLS contenders Los Angeles FC. Victory is non-negotiable if they hope to approach the Chelsea clash with any sense of control over their fate.

Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has finally corrected what many fans saw as his biggest mistake - restoring club captain Themba Zwane to the starting lineup following mountains of pressure. After leaving Zwane out of the Caf Champions League final, Cardoso made amends in their Club World Cup opener against Ulsan.

'Mshishi' was a midfield maestro, but it was Iqraam Rayners who stole the spotlight, scoring the decisive goal to give Sundowns an early edge in Group F. With Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund drawing 0-0, Sundowns sit proudly atop the group. A point against the German giants in their next outing could all but confirm their place in the knockout rounds.

What was billed as a dream encounter for Rhulani Mokwena and his coaching idol, Pep Guardiola, turned into a fine display of bravery by Wydad Casablanca against Manchester City. In the much-anticipated Group G opener of the Fifa Club World Cup, the two-time African champions gave it their all - huffing, puffing, and pressing with heart - but 10-man City’s clinical edge shone through.

The English juggernauts sealed a composed 2-0 victory on Wednesday night. To Wydad’s credit, this wasn’t a shock defeat. City were always expected to dominate - it was only a question of how wide the margin would be and whether Wydad could walk away with dignity intact. And in that respect, they did.

While they couldn’t quite crack City's defensive wall, Wydad’s spirited display suggested that the gulf between Morocco’s finest and England’s elite might not be as wide as many assume. They leave with a loss, yes - but also with pride, and the sense that their football belongs on this stage.

The Fifa Club World Cup isn’t just a tournament - it’s a shop window for players looking to catch global attention. For South African winger Elias Mokwana, that opportunity has so far come in glimpses. The fearless Mokwana came off the bench in the second half against Flamengo but failed to make a real impact. If given another shot, he'll need to rise to the occasion. The potential is there, but time on the big stage is limited, and performances now could shape futures abroad.

If anything, Thembinkosi Lorch really did well to sell himself in this game. He was aggressive, proved to be a bully and never went down without a fight. He rolled back the years and reminded everyone of what he is capable of. Moreover, he was singing for his supper as his loan deal with Wydad ends after the tournament. The club might be convinced to make his move a permanent one away from Sundowns. Cassius Mailula, meanwhile, started the game but did not return for the second half as things simply did not go his way against The Cityzens.

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