Mamelodi Sundowns are not only in danger of elimination in the CAF Champions League but their spot in the 2025 FIFA Club is also in jeopardy after defeat against Esperance.
The Brazilians went down 1-0 against Esperance in the CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg on Saturday evening and not scoring an away goal could be a cause for concern, after the Tshwane giants were knocked out at the same stage on away goals rule last season by Wydad Casablanca.
Miguel Cardoso's charges are not only Sundowns' rivals for the CAF Champions League title but they are the only challenger to the Brazilians for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup qualification via the ranking path.
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Victory for the Tunisian giants against Masandawana became a six-pointer in the FIFA Club World Cup rankings, which were updated on Monday, following CAF Champions League semi-final clashes over the weekend.
Esperance, who are fourth on the rankings, reduced the deficit behind third-placed Sundowns to five points after reaching 93 points while Rulani Mokwena's men remained on 98 points.
The Brazilians currently need to eliminate Esperance out of the CAF Champions League to automatically qualify for the Club World Cup via the rankings path as the third-placed team while ES Tunis will leapfrog Sundowns in third spot if they win the second-leg.
However, there are more Club World Cup permutations that are not reliant on the outcome of the CAF Champions League semi-final second-leg on Friday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Should Sundowns be eliminated from the CAF Champions League, they can still qualify for the inaugural 32-team global club tournament, if Al Ahly qualifies for the CAF Champions League final.
The Brazilians will also qualify for the the Club World Cup if they are eliminated from the CAF Champions League and Esperance go on to win the tournament.
The same is true for the Yellow and Red, who will qualify for the Club World Cup if the Red Devils make it through to the CAF Champions League final, even if they are eliminated by Sundowns and will also qualify for the global competition if the Brazilians go on to win the continental title.
The Egyptian giants played to a goalless draw against TP Mazembe in the other semi-final first-leg on Saturday afternoon in Lubumbashi.
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