Nigeria, June 28 -- By the time the Round of 16 matches of the Club World Cup kick off on Saturday evening, all the African teams that traveled thousands of miles to the United States may have touched down back home-some to silence, others to criticism, and all, perhaps, to reflection.

It was a tough outing for Africa's best clubs.

Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, Al Ahly from Egypt, Esperance from Tunisia, and Wydad Casablanca from Morocco all failed to make it past the group stage.

Sundowns gave the best fight, earning four points and scoring four goals.

Esperance picked three points with just one goal. Al Ahly got two points and scored four goals. Wydad were so poor, returning home without a single point, though they scored twi...