PSL clubs’ best CAF performances

Cape Town City and Royal AM begin their African club competition campaigns this weekend, to be joined later in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively by Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants.

South Africa teams have had a decent time of it of late in African competition, though they have perhaps not turned final appearances into as many trophy wins as they would like.

We look back at 10 famous CAF victories for Premier Soccer League sides.

1995 CHAMPIONS CUP

ASEC Abidjan 0 Orlando Pirates 1

One of the most famous wins in South African football history, Orlando Pirates went to the return leg of the 1995 Champions Cup final having been held 2-2 by Ivorian side ASEC Abidjan. Many believed it would be a routine win for the Ivorians in the second leg, but they could not score from any of their numerous chances and Jerry Sikhosana netted against the run of play as The Buccaneers lifted the title.

2005 CONFEDERATION CUP

Red Star 0 SuperSport United 9

A massive win for SuperSport United in the second round of the Confederation Cup, which remains their biggest ever win. Tsweu Mokoro got a hat-trick and Daine Klate, Koena Mathopa and the late Abram Raselemane got two each. It was, at the time, the biggest ever win in the new competition, but has since been eclipsed by US Bitam (Gabon) and their 12-1 victory over Desportivo de Guadalupe (São Tomé and Príncipe).

2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Platinum Stars 2 Al Ahly 1

If you asked the question of who the first South African side was to beat African giants Al Ahly in continental competition, it is doubtful many would come up with the answer of Platinum Stars. But they managed it in the third round of the Champions Cup under Owen da Gama, only to lose the return 2-0 in Cairo.

2013 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Al Ahly 0 Orlando Pirates 3

Pirates went to Ahly in the group stages of the Champions League and inflicted a very rare home defeat on the hosts with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. Thandani Ntshumayelo, Andile Jali (penalty) and Sifiso Myeni scored the goals. This was the game that made South African clubs believe they could go to North Africa and win, having previously battled badly.

2015 CONFEDERATION CUP

Al Ahly 3 Orlando Pirates 4

Another win away at Ahly, this time in the semifinals of the Confederation Cup, which booked a place in the decider for The Buccaneers. Pirates led 1-0 from the first leg, before Ahly turned the tables to lead 2-0 in the second approaching the hour-mark. But goals from Kermit Erasmus, Thamsanqa Gabuza, Thabo Matlaba and Thabo Rakhale saw a rampant Bucs to the win.

2016 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mamelodi Sundowns 3 Zamalek 0

The first leg of the 2016 Champions League final was expected to be a tight and tense affair at the Lucas Moripe Stadium but Sundowns netted three times to put one hand on the trophy. Anthony Laffor got the ball rolling before Tebogo Langerman scored a second. An Islam Gamal own goal early in the second period was the cherry on top. Sundowns lost the second leg 1-0 but had done all the hard work in the first game.

2018-19 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mamelodi Sundowns 5 Al Ahly 0

This was a result that sent shockwaves through African football as Sundowns humiliated Ahly at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with a 5-0 quarterfinal first leg win. Themba Zwane, Wayne Arendse, Ricardo Nascimento (penalty), Gaston Sirino and Phakamani Mahlambi inflicted the damage on the Egyptians, for who it was a major wake-up call that forced much soul-searching within the club, and ultimately would lead the hiring of Pitso Mosimane as coach.

2019-20 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mamelodi Sundowns 11 Cote d'Or 1

The biggest victory ever in the Champions League competition, though not The Brazilians largest win, which remains their 24-0 humbling of Powerlines FC in the Nedbank Cup in 2012. Ten different players put the ball in the back of the net for Sundowns, with only Sibusiso Vilakazi netting twice. The Brazilians had won the first leg 5-0, and their 16-1 aggregate win is also a Champions League record.

2020-21 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

TP Mazembe 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 2

Sundowns are the only team to beat TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi in 54 Champions League matches since 2009, claiming a superb 2-1 victory in the group stages of the competition. Peter Shalulile put the South African side ahead, but the veteran Congolese forward Tresor Mputu equalized for the home side. At that stage it looked like a point would be a good result for The Brazilians, but Lyle Lakay grabbed an injury-time winner.

2020-21 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Wydad Casablanca 0 Kaizer Chiefs 1

No-one expected Kaizer Chiefs to reach the final of the Champions League last season, but they showed a grit and resilience that had been missing from the team for a number of years to confound their critics. They went away to Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of the semifinals and returned with a 1-0 thanks to Samir Nurkovic’s winner. They also had goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma to thank for the result.