New CAF rules catch Platinum Stars offside

26 October 2016 - 10:05 By MARK GLEESON

South Africa will not be allowed a third team in next year's African Champions League because the Confederation of African Football has changed the rules to limit participation to just two teams from one country. The hope that Mamelodi Sundowns' victory in the 2016 edition would mean an extra berth for the country in the 2017 Champions League, allowing Platinum Stars as the third-placed finisher in last season's Premier Soccer League standings to also participate in the showpiece, have been dashed by the change to the regulations.The rules of the Champions League now state: "No association will be allowed to engage more than two clubs within the CAF Champions League."The association of the holder of CAF Champions League is not allowed to engage another team in case the holder of CAF Champions League is defending its title.""The change was brought in last year and so all the speculation about a third South African club in the 2017 edition is incorrect," explained CAF's director of communication Junior Binyam.This means Sundowns, already qualified as 2015-2016 PSL champions, and league runners-up Bidvest Wits, will play in next year's Champions League, while Stars, who came third in the domestic league, and Nedbank Cup winners Supersport United, will take part in the 2017 African Confederation Cup. ..

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