Continental glory: How Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC are rewriting African football history

As the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup reach their thrilling semi-final stage, South Africa took centre stage, proudly represented by clubs ready to etch their names into continental glory.

Both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have previously come out triumphant in the continent’s premier competition, while for Stellenbosch FC, their milestone has easily become the club’s biggest achievement.

Their path now illuminated by the early glow of destiny, the Premier Soccer League’s three contenders have carried the national flag with pride and purpose.

As they enter the penultimate phase of CAF’s premier tournaments, Obakeng Meletse delves into the highlights that shaped this significant chapter...

Sea Robbers sailed through storms undefeated

Jose Riveiro and his Pirates side will be facing Egyptian side Pyramids FC in the last four after seeing off MC Alger’s challenge 1-0 on aggregate. 

Throughout the two legs, Pirates had to resort to a side we haven’t been accustomed to seeing, especially in Jose Riveiro’s tenure, as they played mostly in transition.

And it was a move that worked for them over the two legs as the Algerian side didn’t have answers to their set-up.

The Buccaneers are still unbeaten in the competition, and their biggest highlight will be the manner in which they were able to show how flexible they are in their game and the execution, as more of it will be required for the rest of their campaign.

Mamelodi Sundowns have favourites tag

In their two legs, the Brazilians were largely the better side in comparison to the Tunisian club, Esperance de Tunis, following their 1-0 aggregate win.

They will next face 12-time winners Al Ahly, and with both sides experienced having had a lot of exposure to this tournament, the quality in their ranks could be the difference.

Miguel Cardoso and his troops have stayed true to their identity despite the challenging circumstances that come with playing continental football.

Despite a below-par showing in the second half of their second leg clash with Esperance, they go into the next round as favourites to advance to the final.

Fadlu Davids flying South African flag high

Davids led Simba FC’s charge as they came back from a two-goal deficit to force their quarter-final clash against Al-Masry into a penalty shoot-out, following their 2-0 loss against the Egyptian side last week at the New Suez Stadium.

The South African-born coach led the Tanzanian side to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 win in the second leg (4-1 on penalties), and he will come up against Stellies for a place in the final.

Stellenbosch over-achieve, have shot at history

The Cape Winelands side have been one of the most consistent outfits in the Premier Soccer League for the past three seasons, and as they now face the daunting but exciting task of facing Simba FC in the last four of the Confederation Cup, they could be on the verge of history.

Coach Steve Barker has done a lot for the PSL, including feeding some of the big teams a lot of good quality players throughout the years.

And their 79th-minute 1-0 win on Wednesday, courtesy of a Sihle Nduli strike after the 0-0 draw in the first leg, was arguably the biggest moment in the 57-year-old’s coaching career and for the club in their continuous growth.

Continental success huge tick in South African football

Bafana Bafana set the tone with their third-place finish at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in the Ivory Coast.

They are well on course to qualify for their first FIFA World Cup since they last hosted the tournament in 2010, and their growth comes largely from the success of the three teams that will be doing duty in the different competitions.

An all-South African final in the Champions League remains a high possibility, and that stands to benefit the growth of the sport and Mzansi’s presence in world football moving forward.