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CAF competitions provide SA football with boost

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Devin Titus of Stellenbosch FC and Khuliso Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns challenge hard during the 2024 MTN8 semifinal 2nd leg game between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 1 September 2024 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

South African football is looking to 2025 for a major boost, with World Cup qualification in sight for Bafana Bafana and a chance to win a continental title again in the end-of-the-year Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

At club level, the first few weeks of the new year have already turned out positively for the country as Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch on Sunday secured their place in the quarter-final of continental club competition while Mamelodi Sundowns are on the cusp of doing so too.

Pirates made sure of their berth in the knockout stage when they beat Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday while Stellenbosch’s 2-0 win over Stade Malien in Pretoria at the same time puts them though in the African Confederation Cup.

Sundowns need one more point to qualify to make sure of a place in the last eight of the Champions League after a last gasp own goal gave them a fortunate victory in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday.

They beat Maniema Union 2-1 away in Kinshasa to move up to eight points in second place in Group B, where they are three ahead of third placed Raja Casablanca, who drew on Saturday in the Moroccan derby with leaders Royal Armed Forces, who have nine points.

Maniema Union took the lead in the 38th minute in Kinshasa when Jafty Kitambala finished a precise counter-attack to give the home team a deserved advantage but it was a different story after the break as Sundowns dominated possession.

Substitute striker Peter Shalulile equalised with seven minutes remaining before pressure on the home defence saw defender Exosya Mwanda deflect the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a cross.

The defeat eliminated Maniema Union from any chance of advancing.

Sundowns can now aim to finish top of the group when they host the Moroccan military side in Pretoria next Sunday. But if they draw, they will still advance.

Pirates can finish top of Group C ahead of defending champions Al Ahly if they avoid defeat in their last game in Cairo on Saturday.

Stellenbosch conclude their group campaign away at Renaissance Berkane of Morocco, who have already secured top place in Group B with 13 out of a possible 15 points.