By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (August 2^nd 2025)

Débuts

As happens with many friendlies several second-half substitutions disrupted the rhythm of the game. Sunderland lost their first friendly at the Stadium of Light 0-1 to La Liga outfit and beaten Conference League finalists Real Betis Balompié since their return to England’s Premier League.

Sunderland’s spending spree has been impressive – the pick of the recent signings, former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen stalwart, Granit Xhaka, made his début this afternoon and put in an impressive shift. Manager Régis le Bris, who was recently rewarded with a contract extension, was impressed enough with Xhaka to confirm that Xhaka would be his captain.

Chances Go Astray

Xhaka was denied what would have been his best moment by an offside flag – his pinpoint pass found new signing, Simon Adingra, on the left of the area.

The Ivorian winner of the African Cup of Nations’ shot to the right of Betis’ keeper Á Valles, but his joy was curtailed by referee, Craig Pawson, disallowing the goal. Sunderland created chances, but the failure to put them away highlighted the need for a proven goal-scorer.

Eliezer Mayende was profligate. Two long range efforts were weak and straight at Betis’ keeper. An early opportunity summed up his match. After good work on the right flank by Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra, Trai Hume’s cross – a tap-in awaited – arrived just behind Mayende. He could not get a shot away and it was easily cleared by the defence.

Defence

Betis finished sixth in La Liga last season as well as losing the Conference League final to Chelsea – they will play in the Europa League this season under the former Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini – no stranger to delivering with a big spending team. But Betis have been unable to secure the services of wantaway Manchester United winger Anthony. They are captained by former Real Madrid star Isco, but Betis’ best moments in attack involved others.

With new keeper Robin Roefs stranded, after Argentine, Valentine Gomez’ header struck the crossbar, Gomez’ shot from the rebound beat Roefs, but not Hume. But for that block Betis would have taken a lead in at half time. With around 15 minutes left two substitutes combined to give Betis the lead. A short corner routine on the right found Sunderland’s defence lacking. Rodrigo Riquelme’s exquisite cross saw Aitor Ruibal head past Roefs to give Betis the lead – they hung on to win.

A Long Season’s AFCON Effect

Sunderland have yet to win a match this pre-season, but players who may play a crucial role in the Black Cats’ season got important minutes under their belts this afternoon. Among Sunderland’s new signings are five who are expected to play a part in the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January.

They include AFCON winner Adingra – Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique), Diarra (Sénégal), Talbi (Morocco)[1] and Noah Sadiki (Democratic Republic of Congo). With the transfer window set to be open for the rest of the month more signings of African players could occur for Sunderland who are far from the only European team to be affected.

Betis forward and Sadiki’s international compatriot, Cédric Bakambu, is expected to be called up for the forthcoming AFCON and so is Moroccan international midfielder, Abde Ezzalzouli. Players could miss up to six matches, depending on how far their teams progress.

The forthcoming AFCON was originally scheduled to take place this summer, but FIFA’s revamped Clubs World Cup wrecked those plans, leaving hosts Morocco forced to schedule a winter tournament – this has affected European teams who will lose players to the AFCON.

It should be remembered that the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation had no choice but to host their flagship international competition this winter. FIFA, perhaps, should have considered the effect that this would have on less fancied European teams like Sunderland and even Real Betis Balompié.

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[1] Talbi has yet to play for the Atlas Lions.