Three of South Africa’s best clubs flew the flag high in continental competitions this week. Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates both picked up 1-0 wins in the first legs of their respective CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Stellenbosch FC faced the daunting task of tackling Egyptian giants Zamalek and coming away from that encounter with a 0-0 draw. Those results mean all three South African sides face the possibility of reaching the semi-finals in the respective competitions.
Sundowns set the tone in CAF Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns got the ball rolling for the PSL teams in CAF competition this week. Masandawana hosted Esperance de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday as Miguel Cardoso faced off against his former side for the very first time since taking the Sundowns job. It was a tense affair, with several subplots on display. Esperance were the team that eliminated the Brazilians from last season’s Champions League while Sundowns have set their sights on conquering Africa, their main priority this season.
Peter Shalulile netted the all-important goal that gave Sundowns a 1-0 advantage to take back to Tunisia in next week’s return leg.
Sea Robbers steal crucial away goal to bring back to Orlando Stadium
Pirates meanwhile, had the toughest assignment of the South African sides this week as they headed north for a clash with MC Alger later on Tuesday night. Traveling to north Africa has proven to be troublesome for PSL clubs in the past but the Sea Robbers looked unfazed in Algeria. Pirates soaked up pressure, remaining resolute in defence before Mohau Nkota made the breakthrough after an hour. That performance set up an exciting return leg where they’ll be in the driving seat at Orlando Stadium next week.
Stellies pick up where Downs, Bucs left off
Impressively, neither Sundowns or Pirates conceded a goal and it seems as though Stellenbosch wanted to maintain that theme among South African clubs competing in continental competition this week. The winelands outfit hosted Confed Cup holders, Zamalek in the first leg of the quarter-final where they were able to grind out a goalless draw. Despite the gulf in experience between the sides in terms of playing in CAF competitions – Stellenbosch playing in their debut season while Zamalek have seen and done it all in both the Champions League and Confed Cup. Steve Barker praised his players for holding their own against the African giants and is hopeful that his side can pull off an upset in Cairo next week.
Barker lauds Sundowns, Pirates and hopes they can inspire Stellies in return legs:
Kudos to the South African teams, I think the last two days they haven’t conceded a goal. So hopefully you know, our brother at Sundowns and Pirates can set the tone on Tuesday and get into a semi-final. We wish them luck and then we can at least go to Cairo believing that we have a chance of qualifying for the semi-final.
That’s what Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker had to say after his side’s 0-0 draw against Zamalek but they’ll know a hostile environment awaits them in the Egyptian capital next week.
