Philadelphia, USA – June 22, 2025

Juventus delivered a commanding statement in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night, dismantling Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca 4–1 in their second Group G match.

A dazzling performance from 20-year-old forward Kenan Yıldız, who scored twice, ensured the Italian giants maintained their perfect start to the tournament and all but booked a place in the Round of 16.

The match burst into life in the opening minutes when Khephren Thuram’s sharp move ended with a low shot that deflected off Wydad defender Soufiane Boutouil and into his own net, gifting Juventus a 1–0 lead just six minutes in.

Only ten minutes later, Yıldız stunned fans and pundits alike with a thunderbolt from distance that soared into the top-right corner — a strike already being tipped as one of the tournament’s best goals.

To their credit, Wydad responded with a moment of brilliance in the 25th minute. South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch, played in by Ayoub El Amloud, chipped Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio with composure to make it 2–1, briefly raising hopes of a comeback.

But Juventus never lost control. The second half saw them dominate possession and dictate tempo. In the 69th minute, Randal Kolo Muani threaded a perfect pass through the Wydad backline, and Yıldız made no mistake — calmly slotting home for his second of the night and third of the tournament.

The match was capped in stoppage time when Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović converted a penalty after being brought down inside the box, making it 4–1 and sealing a comprehensive win for the Bianconeri.

Yıldız Steals the Show

All eyes were on Kenan Yıldız, whose brace and all-round performance earned him Man of the Match honours. Head coach Igor Tudor was full of praise post-match, calling him “a golden boy” and emphasizing his growing importance to the team.

“Kenan plays with the maturity of a veteran. He’s special — and he’s showing the world exactly why we believe in him,” Tudor said.

Group G Outlook

The win puts Juventus at the top of Group G with six points, ahead of their final group game against Manchester City on June 26 in Orlando. Wydad, meanwhile, remain bottom with zero points and must beat Al Ain and hope results elsewhere go in their favour to stand any chance of progressing.

Match Summary:

Juventus Goals: Boutouil (OG, 6’) Yıldız (16’, 69’) Vlahović (90+4’, pen)

Wydad Goal: Lorch (25’)

Possession: Juventus 63% – Wydad 37%

Shots on Target: Juventus 8 – Wydad 3

Man of the Match: Kenan Yıldız

Next Fixtures – June 26:

Juventus vs Manchester City (Orlando) Wydad Casablanca vs Al Ain

With Yıldız firing on all cylinders and confidence soaring, Juventus now look ahead to a heavyweight showdown with City — and possibly a deep run in the tournament.

Cameroon football legend Geremi Njitap has been banned from all football-related activities for five years by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), following a disciplinary dispute with the federation’s president, Samuel Eto’o.

He has also been fined $16,500.

The decision, announced this week, marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between two of the country’s most iconic former players, and has drawn widespread attention from football communities across Africa and beyond.

Geremi, 46, a former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder, is among Cameroon’s most celebrated footballers, having earned 118 caps — the joint-second highest in national history.

He was part of Cameroon’s 2008 AFCON team that reached the final in Ghana.

Njitap was also a member of Chelsea’s Premier League-winning squads in 2005 and 2006.

In 2017, Geremi said in an interview with Muftawu Nabila Abdulai that, “…I am a bit fed up with football so I don’t follow football anymore.”

He, however, transitioned into football administration, serving as the president of the National Union of Footballers of Cameroon (Synafoc), an organisation representing players’ rights.

His relationship with Eto’o, now head of FECAFOOT, deteriorated sharply which led to an altercation between the two per local media reports.

The fallout dates back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, during a tense group-stage match between Cameroon and The Gambia.

Geremi was reportedly involved in a heated altercation with a member of Eto’o’s inner circle. Security had to intervene, with reports from Yaoundé claiming he was forcibly removed from the stadium at the instruction of federation officials.

In a formal statement released by FECAFOOT’s ethics committee, Geremi was declared guilty of “violating the behavioural code outlined in the federation’s ethics regulations.” As a result, he has been banned from all football activities for five years and fined 10 million Central African CFA francs (approx. $16,500).

He has been given 10 days to lodge an official appeal. Sources close to the former midfielder indicate he is considering taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

Daniel Blaise Ngos, Geremi’s assistant at Synafoc, was also penalised, receiving a two-year ban and a fine of $8,250.

Critics claim it’s move to end Njitap’s presidential ambitions as he’s believed to be nursing his way to ascending the throne of football leadership in the country.

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Cincinnati, June 21, 2025 – Borussia Dortmund edged Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at TQL Stadium, overcoming brutal heat and a late South African comeback to go top of the group.

The match exploded into life early, with Sundowns striking first through Lucas Ribeiro Costa in the 11th minute. Dortmund replied quickly via Felix Nmecha before adding two more goals through Serhou Guirassy and debutant Jobe Bellingham to go 3-1 up by halftime.

An own goal from Khuliso Mudau in the 59th minute looked to seal the win for the Germans, but Sundowns refused to fold. Iqraam Rayners and substitute Lebo Mothiba found the net in the second half, narrowing the gap to just one goal and setting up a nervy finale.

Despite the Sundowns resurgence, Dortmund held firm, albeit with worrying signs in defence. On a scorching day with temperatures above 30°C (86°F), BVB resorted to cooling strategies including umbrellas and ice tubs to combat the conditions.

Key Performers:

• Jobe Bellingham: Scored on his full debut and earned Man of the Match.
• Felix Nmecha: Controlled midfield and netted Dortmund’s first.
• Sundowns’ attack: Showed quality and resilience with goals from Ribeiro, Rayners, and Mothiba.

Group F Outlook:

Dortmund now lead the group with four points, while Sundowns, on three, still have a chance to qualify when they face Fluminense in their final group game.