It’s been nine seasons – and counting – since the PSL last enjoyed continental success in inter-club football.
Mamelodi Sundowns were responsible for that previous success. The Brazilians ascended to the throne of African football when they were crowned kings of the continent for the first time in their history.
They became only the second South African team to achieve that milestone, with Orlando Pirates having been crowned African champions in 1995. That’s why the Sea Robbers would have celebrated their 30-year anniversary in style had they gone all the way last season instead of falling short at the second-last hurdle.
But a new season has arrived with yet another chance of redemption for South Africa through Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Stellenbosch. All three have reached the group stages of either the Champions League or Confederation Cup, after Pirates crashed out in the final qualifying round.
Given their previous shortcomings, including last season’s final defeat to inaugural continental champions Pyramids, Sundowns are expected to find the elusive formula that will return them to the summit of African football.
The Brazilians are serial champions on home soil, having won the league – now known as the Betway Premiership – for the last eight seasons. And while they are expected to win the championship every year, despite increasingly competitive opposition, it’s the continental crown that the club, the team, and their fans desire most.
After all, with every transfer window, the club digs deep to acquire the best players money can buy. This winter they replaced reigning PSL Footballer of the Season Lucas Ribeiro with another high-quality signing in Nuno Santos, who didn’t come cheap.
Of course, the responsibility lies with the players to deliver on the pitch. But the brains behind the operation remains coach Miguel Cardoso, and he will know that failure to win the continental title this season could mean the end of his tenure at the club.
Sundowns are in Group C alongside St Eloi Lupopo of the DRC, Algiers’ MC Alger -coached by former Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena – and Sudan-based Al-Hilal.
While all three opponents will pose unique challenges, it’s worth noting that the Brazilians must remain true to their identity and do what they do best: play their football.
Chiefs and Stellenbosch, meanwhile, will represent the PSL in the Confederation Cup. The two teams, however, are on contrasting trajectories at the moment: Chiefs are in form, while Stellenbosch are struggling, especially in domestic competition.
Amakhosi are on a three-match winning streak across all competitions, which bodes well for the start of their Group D campaign, where they are drawn with Egypt’s Al Masry and Zamalek, as well as Zambia’s Zesco United.
Chiefs open their campaign against Al Masry next Sunday, and they will know the importance of starting strongly and sending a stern message to Zamalek and Zesco. After all, while Chiefs may be buoyant, they are still far from being a well-oiled machine.
Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef still have much to prove in showing they can lead a club of Chiefs’ calibre following the departure of their superior, Nasreddine Nabi.
There is no better stage than the continent to do just that. African competition is unforgiving, and the duo should know this well, having served as Nabi’s assistants when Young Africans reached the final of the tournament a few seasons ago.
Stellenbosch, meanwhile, find themselves at a crossroads regarding their continental ambitions. While they will want to build on last season’s semi-final run, their struggles in the league may hinder their overall performances.
Stellies know that their bread is buttered in the league, and they must get their domestic campaign in order before it’s too late. However, their Group C opponents – Congo’s AS Otohô, who they face in the opener, Algiers’ CR Belouizdad, and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars – will underestimate them at their own peril.
