Mamelodi Sundowns gained further points in the 2025 FIFA Club World rankings following their narrow win over TP Mazembe in the final CAF Champions League group game over the weekend.
Previously, with Sundowns equal on points with Mazembe prior to clash and both teams having qualified, the only motivating factor would have been the fight for top spot.
However, the Brazilians' game against the Ravens carried much more significance since FIFA introduced a ranking system for qualification to the expanded 32-team FIFA World Cup which is updated after continental matches.
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Before the final round of the group stage fixtures in the CAF Champions League, Rulani Mokwena's charges were placed third on the continent with 87 points - a position which currently qualifies them for the Club World Cup - eight points ahead of fourth-placed Esperance de Tunis.
Sundowns therefore could not afford to drop points in the FIFA Club rankings, with three points awarded for a win, one point for a draw and three points for progress to the next stage of the continental tournament
Especially since Esperance were yet to qualify and had to go all out in their last game against Al Hilal, although they needed a draw to book a spot in the knockout stages.
The Tunisian giants eventually qualified for the quarter-finals after edging Al Hilal 1-0 and Sundowns matching that result against TP Mazembe ensured that they are still eight points ahead of Esperance in the latest FIFA Club rankings updated on Monday.
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The Brazilians now have 90 points compared to the Tunisian giants' 82 points, heading into the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League.
The Tshwane giants ended their group campaign with only one loss suffered against Mazembe but they had their revenge to finish three points clear ahead of the Ravens.
Al Ahly and Wydad, who are ranked first and second respectively on the FIFA Club World rankings have already qualified for the expanded tournament by virtue of winning the previous two editions of the CAF Champions League.
