Pirates and Stellies’ Caf quarter heroics another sign of new life in SA football

Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC’s progression to continental quarterfinals on Sunday is another sign of the growing health of South African football.

Pirates (11 points) are through to the Caf Champions League quarters in an impressive campaign in Group C, with Saturday‘s group winner decider against Al Ahly (10 points) in Cairo to spare.

Stellies, who were only promoted to the South African top flight in 2019, are reaping the rewards of their solid management and excellent youth policy taking part in the Caf Confederation Cup, where their 2-0 home win against Stade Malien saw them progress past Group B with a game left.

It is likely to be three South African quarterfinalists in 2024-25. Mamelodi Sundowns have work to do clinching a place from Group B. South Africa’s most successful club in continental competition as 2016 Champions League winners and perennial knockout stage competitors since seem a strong bet for the draw they need at home against AS FAR on Sunday.

It would be the just the second time three South African clubs have reached continental quarterfinals in the same season — in 2020-21 it was Sundowns and Chiefs in the Champions League and Pirates in the Confed. That the last occurrence came just four years ago is another indicator of a turnaround in long-suffering South African football, being led by the clubs, with Bafana Bafana in tow, benefiting from the experience and confidence gained by the players through successes in tough Caf interclub football.

There was a time in the 2000s and early 2010s when South African clubs barely reached group phases of Caf competitions, let alone the knockout stages. Many balked at the costs and did not see the benefits. South African football in the build-up to and directly after the hosting of 2010 World Cup was also in its worst rut, with Bafana unable to qualify for major tournaments other than as hosts as young emerging talent was throttled by most clubs’ and the South African Football Association’s inability to launch effective youth programmes.

Pirates’ inspired run to the 2013 Champions League final, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly, was a turning point. Patrice Motsepe’s mega-wealthy, ambitious Sundowns took up the baton with their 2016 triumph under a coach who finally knew how to harness their riches in Mosimane, becoming the first South African winners of Caf’s most prestigious club tournament since Pirates in 1995.

Just as Pirates’ famous 1990s triumph set up Bafana’s 1996 Nations Cup triumph on home soil under Clive Barker, a resurgence in South African clubs’ performances continentally in the late 2010s and early 2020s paves the way for a national team revival, though this time it’s taking longer. The hole Bafana had fallen into was deep and the climb out arduous.

But the effect of five continental finals in 12 years — two in the Champions League (Pirates and Sundowns) and three in the Confed (Pirates in 2015 and 2021-22 and SuperSport United in 2017) — finally transferred to national team level when a Bafana built on a core of Sundowns players won bronze at last years' Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). 

That the three teams set for this season's quarters are all leading proponents of South African clubs’ new wealth in young talent and adventurousness fielding them seems another confirmation of the winds of change.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro was asked after Sunday's fired-up 2-1 home win against CR Belouizdad that clinched their quarterfinal place about the positive signs heralded by his side and Stellies’ progression.

“It’s a very good development for South African football,” he said. “My way of thinking is national teams are a reflection of football. When the national team is doing well, like right now with Bafana, it’s because there’s something happening in our football right now.

“It’s good for the league and what happened in the last Afcon is a true reflection of the level of South African players right now. I have said in my two-and-a-half seasons already here in South Africa that the level of the players is so high.

“The technical level [especially] is very high. There are other components that need to come together to be competitive. It’s not perfect, like in any other country. But I think right now we have a complex league. Hopefully more teams than Pirates, so far this season, can manage to be competitive [against seven-time successive champions Sundowns] in the long run because that’s something good for the show, the fans, the sponsors, everybody.

“But yeah, talent is not a problem here. We have a lot of talent and good players and hopefully all of us can do a good job in the continental competitions this season because it’s good for everyone, in my opinion.”

Pirates, five-time domestic cup winners in Riveiro’s impressive two-and-a-half seasons, have gone up a gear in the Betway Premiership — where, after being runners-up by 16- and 23-point margins to Sundowns, thanks mainly to bad starts, they are three points behind the Brazilians after 11 matches — and Champions League.

Riveiro was clearly pleased at a fired-up display that brought a second win against Belouizdad — Bucs won by the same scoreline in Algiers to get off to an excellent start to the group — at an again packed Orlando Stadium, as fans come in numbers, excited by Bucs’ form, young talent and riveting football.

“It’s a day to be happy, to celebrate together as a group, as a team, because these victories, these performances are not happening by chance — it’s not coming for free,” Riveiro said.

It’s good for the league and what happened in the last Afcon is a true reflection of the level of South African players right now. I have said in my two-and-a-half seasons already here in South Africa that the level of the players is so high.

—  Jose Riveiro

“The guys are working so hard against the elements sometimes to perform the way they did again. Don’t put the focus only on the results. Results are fine, everybody wants to win. But it’s the way they are playing football every three days.

“It’s only been half the season. We are going to the quarterfinals now, it’s a fact, and let’s see what the future has for us.”

Pirates, under Roger de Sá, began the resurgence of South African clubs on the continent in 2013. On Saturday they meet Ahly, the team they lost against in that final, in another interesting barometer of Riveiro’s continentally inexperienced, but, as in 2013, brave combination’s ability at this level, having drawn at home against the Red Devils in the opening round.

Sundowns — with a new coach at the helm in Miguel Cardoso who has Champions League final experience, with Esperance de Tunis last year — are always the side most put their money on as South Africa’s best bet for a second Champions League final since 2016, and attempt at the trophy. This Pirates are dangerous too. And Steve Barker’s tough, organised, young and energetic Stellies can make more ground in the Confed.

It’s all very positive, all rather exciting, from a country whose football a decade ago was firmly in the doldrums, barely any light at the end of the tunnel in sight. Bafana coach Hugo Broos will be watching the exploits of Sundowns, Pirates and Stellenbosch with interest — and relish.