Mamelodi Sundowns head into their final FIFA Club World Cup group stage match against Fluminense with everything to play for, and a closer look at their performances so far paints a story of why Sundowns have got the football world so excited.
The Brazilians opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD, before falling just short in a thrilling 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund.
With one win and one defeat, their upcoming clash against the Copa Libertadores champions is a must-win encounter — and the numbers from their first two matches offer both encouragement and areas for improvement.
Rayners, Mokoena & Allende Leading The Charge
Iqraam Rayners has stepped up as a surprise hero, netting two goals to lead Sundowns’ scoring chart. He’s also applied the most pressing actions in the squad with 64, showcasing the relentless defensive shift required at this level.
Teboho Mokoena, unsurprisingly, has been a midfield engine. The Bafana Bafana international leads the team in most attempted line breaks (52) and most completed (40), underlining his role in transitioning play and breaking opposition lines. He also ranks highest for goal attempts (7).
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Marcelo Allende, meanwhile, has clocked the most offers to receive (124) and recorded the highest average speed at 14.35 km/h. The Chilean has covered 24 metres in distance tracked, symbolic of his movement-heavy, high-involvement style in midfield.
Ribeiro And Cupido Provide Structure
Lucas Ribeiro may only have a superb solitary strike to his name, but his statistics show influence in build-up play, with the most receptions between midfield and defence (27), while Keanu Cupido leads the passing department with 171 completed passes. Ribeiro has also delivered the most crosses (3) for Sundowns.
Matthews & Mudau On The Flanks
Tashreeq Matthews has registered one assist — the highest for the team — while Khuliso Mudau continues to be a dynamic outlet on the right, racking up 102 sprints in two matches.
Williams, Reliable As Ever
Between the posts, captain Ronwen Williams has made 17 saves, highlighting his value in keeping Sundowns in tight contests, especially against Dortmund’s European firepower.
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