Elias Mokwana featured for Tunisian giants Esperance, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Flamengo in their FIFA Club World Cup opener.
FIFA Club World Cup
Result: Flamengo 2-0 Esperance
Date: 17 June 2025
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
The Bafana Bafana forward had to make do with a spot on the bench as Yan Sasse and Youcef Belaïli started in the attack, while Flamengo handed a debut to former Arsenal and Chelsea star Jorginho.
The Brazilian outfit made a lively start to the encounter by enjoying more of the ball in the opening stages of the first half while Esperance were happy to sit back and attack on the counter.
Flamengo broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Giorgian De Arrascaeta finished off a well-worked team goal by firing home from close range after some good work by Luiz Araujo and Guillermo Varela .
Esperance had to wait until the midway period to fashion an opening at the Flamengo goal, with Rodrigues going close with an effort from distance that sailed just wide of the mark.
Coach Maher Kanzari made a double change at the start of the second half, as Mokwana and Abdramane Kone replaced Yan Sasse and Chiheb Jbeli in the attack.
The double change certainly had an effect on the Tunisian outfit, who started seeing more of the ball while Belaili went close to pulling the side level on 67 minutes as his powerful strike was saved by goalkeeper Agustín Rossi.
However, Flamengo doubled their lead three minutes later as Luis Araújo bagged his first of the tournament by collecting a pass from Jorginho before finding the far corner with a lovely curling effort to seal the win.
Esperance will be back in action on Saturday morning against Los Angeles FC.
