Platinum Stars could be promoted to the Champions League if Sundowns win the competition

Victory for Mamelodi Sundowns in the African Champions League should open up another place for South Africa in next year’s competition‚ meaning Platinum Stars could join Sundowns and Bidvest Wits in the field for the top club prize on the continent.

Last year there were three Algerian clubs in the field after Entente Setif won the 2014 Champions League title‚ although the Democratic Republic of Congo had two teams despite TP Mazembe Englebert being the defending champion.

If Sundowns overcome Zamalek in Alexandria on Sunday and are crowned continental champions‚ the Confederation of African Football will have to confirm whether Platinum Stars can then be elevated to the Champions League field and give the country three representatives in a single competition for the first time.

“I was thinking about this on Saturday while I was watching the match and wondering the same thing to myself‚” said Stars general manager Senzo Mazingiza on Monday.

“Nothing has been said to us officially and we will have to await communication from SAFA.

"But I know of the past instances where there are three clubs from one country because they have the defending champions.”

Clubs are required to confirm entry for next year’s two continental club competitions by mid-November.

“Look‚ either way‚ we are playing. We are already in the Confederation Cup and we are committed to competing in that competition.

"If we go up to the Champions League‚ that would be a great challenge‚” Mazingiza added.

Usually the top two finishers in the league standings last season qualify for the Champions League.

For 2017’s edition this is Sundowns and Wits.

The entrants for the Confederation Cup are the third placed finishers (Platinum Stars) and the Nedbank Cup winners (SuperSport United)

But if Stars are promoted to the Champions League‚ then last season’s fourth place side would presumably be able to compete in the Confederation Cup.

That was Mpumalanga Black Aces‚ which is now Cape Town City.

“That’s an interesting idea‚” said the new club’s owner John Comitis.

“We’d be keen to look at that‚” he told TimesLive. - TMG Digital