Ahead of the first ever expanded Fifa Club World Cup, Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango is already looking ahead of achieving an incredible moment.

The former Uganda Cranes captain who turns 40 in May will be amongst the oldest players at the tournament due in United States in June.

Onyango who made his first appearance at the tournament in 2016 couldn’t hide his excitement.

“I feel very happy and blessed as the first Ugandan to play in two Fifa Club World Cups,” he started.

“Being the first Ugandan to do so is an incredible achievement and looking at my age right now (will be turning 40 in May), I can’t be prouder.

“And for me it is credible for a young boy who came from the streets of Nsambya to become who I am, play at the highest level of football I believe this will be a big inspiration to the youngsters out there never to give up and not to look at your age in terms of playing but performance.

“If you are doing well, it doesn’t matter how old or young you are but keep playing at the highest level. For me, it has been an incredible journey and I cherish it.”

The South African side, one of the four representing Africa alongside Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia) and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) are in group F with Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Fluminense (Brazil) and Ulsan HD (Korea) and Onyango expects a tough outing.  

“Our group has strong teams and it is going to be a very difficult group for us but of course there are no easy games at the world cup as all are champions at their respective continents.”

Onyango, one of the best goalkeepers in African history promised a better showing that gives good representation to African alongside the other three teams.

“I believe the team will do well in terms going past the group stages and we shall try our best to give Africa joy. And not just us but all the other teams from Africa and we know it is not going to be easy but we shall give it everything.”

A brief about the Fifa Club World Cup 2025

FIFA’s new prime club competition – the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – will grace the world stage in June and July 2025, when 32 of the globe’s leading teams gather in the USA for the inaugural edition.

This truly global event will bring together the most successful club sides from each of the six international confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA.

Each of the 32 participating teams will receive $50m (UGX 184 billion) and the money will increase the higher they go up. Qualification to the CWC is down to CAF rankings over a 4-year period.

How it will be played

• A group stage composed of eight groups of four teams per group playing in a single game round-robin format.
• The top two teams per group progress to the round of 16.
• A direct single-match knockout stage from the round of 16 to the final.
• No third-place play-off.

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