Opinion

Big three must prioritise Caf competitions

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Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate after winning the 2016 Caf Champions League

South Africa’s big three, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, all do battle in continental competitions this weekend as the Caf tournaments continue to grow in importance in SA football. DEAN WORKMAN explores.

In total, South African teams have only been victorious 5 times across the different Confederation of African Football competitions since they began in 1969, while countries such as Egypt (35), Tunisia (22) Morocco (16) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (13) have enjoyed significantly more success.

Only Pirates (1995) and Sundowns (2016) have won the Caf Champions League, while Downs finished runners-up in 2001, and the Buccaneers lost out in the final in 2013.

Watch: Pirates look ahead to crunch Caf CL clash

Both Pirates and Downs went on to win the Caf Super Cup, where the winners of the two different Caf competitions play each other, in the year after securing their continental glory.

Chiefs were triumphant in the African Cup Winners Cup, now the Confederation Cup, in 2001, but failed to win the Super Cup the following year.

The Buccaneers made it all the way to the final of the Confed Cup in 2015, as did SuperSport United in 2017.

Watch: Sundowns stars prepare for Maritzburg, Wydad

These stats provide stark reading for the country and for the PSL, which lays claim to be among the elite on the continent. For years it seemed as though South African clubs have given scant regard to the continental competitions, but recently it seems as though their significance has grown.

In the PSL, the top two teams go through to the qualifiers of the Champions League, while the winners of the Nedbank Cup and the team that finishes third in the league go through to the qualifiers of the Confed Cup. So, a consistent run in Caf competitions requires league consistency and continued success.

Sundowns have undoubtedly set the standard in recent years since their triumph in 2016. The Brazilians have been in the group stages for five consecutive years and have shown other clubs in the country just how to fight on numerous fronts, with a big squad and a manager capable of rotating his squad when needed.

Watch: Chiefs braced for tough clash against Zesco

Masandawana coach Pitso Mosimane has spoken on a number of occasions how important it is to be playing at the ‘pinnacle of African football’.

Pirates have followed suit, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2012-2013 after a second-place finish. The Sea Robbers have built a big squad and an impressive backroom staff, who have been outspoken about the importance of playing in the CL.

Both sides are in the group stages and will be looking to have a lengthy stay in the competition.

Chiefs, in turn, face Zesco United in the second leg of the second round of qualifiers, where the winner will book a place in the group stages of the Confed Cup.

Continued success for all three these South African giants is important for the continuous advancement of SA football, which would certainly transfer to the national team.

Having our players come up against the continent’s finest, while playing in an adversarial atmosphere and having to overcome all the other ‘challenges’, such as arduous travel schedules and often dubious refereeing, will not only improve our players’ technical abilities, but will also improve their mental resilience, something which has let Bafana Bafana down on several occasions in the past.

To achieve success on the continent takes a lot out of a side. However, that sort of test is exactly what is required if South African football truly wants to consider itself among the continent’s elite.

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix