Mamelodi Sundowns made history by winning their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup match, edging past Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea with a narrow 1-0 victory on Tuesday. While the result brought pride to South African football, the match itself unfolded under unexpected circumstances—in front of a nearly empty stadium in the United States.
A Quiet Win in a Big Arena
The game, held at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, drew only about 100 spectators in a venue that can seat up to 25,000 fans. It was a landmark match for Sundowns, who became the first African side to score a goal in the newly expanded tournament, but the celebration was noticeably muted by the lack of atmosphere.
Sports Minister Reacts: “Witchcraft at Its Best”
The sparse attendance didn’t go unnoticed back home. South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, took to social media to express his disbelief. A loyal supporter of Sundowns, McKenzie called the empty stands “witchcraft at its best” on X (formerly Twitter), a tongue-in-cheek reaction that quickly went viral.
Other fans joked that the scenes reminded them of poorly attended local PSL matches, with memes and banter circulating online.
Not Just a Sundowns Problem
Low turnout has been a recurring issue across the tournament. While matches featuring stars like Lionel Messi—such as Inter Miami vs Al Ahly—attracted big crowds, several other games, including PSG vs Atletico Madrid, were exceptions rather than the norm. Most recent fixtures have seen disappointing ticket sales and large patches of empty seats.
What’s Next for Sundowns?
Despite the quiet stands, Sundowns now lead Group F, which also features Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. Their next clash is set for:
- Saturday, 21 June: vs Borussia Dortmund
- Wednesday, 25 June: vs Fluminense
The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages, with the grand final set for 13 July at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Sundowns may not have had the crowd, but they’ve got the momentum—and now, the world is watching.
