Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has expressed his delight at Orlando Pirates’ qualification for the CAF Champions League group stages.

Mngqithi believes the presence of both South African giants in the competition will significantly boost their chances of securing a historic victory.

Sundowns, for the tenth consecutive year, qualified for the Champions League after dominating Mbabane Swallows of Eswatini in the second preliminary round.

Pirates, meanwhile, followed suit by defeating the Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana. This marks the Pirates’ first appearance in the Champions League group stage since the 2018/19 season.

Mngqithi praised Pirates’ achievement and emphasized the importance of having two South African teams in the competition. He expressed his hope that both teams could advance to the quarterfinals, where anything is possible. “I must congratulate Pirates first and I think it is very good for a big team like Pirates to be in the group stages,” said Mngqithi. 

“For South Africa to have two teams in the Champions League group stages, that’s big. That when you start maximize the chances of South African team winning the Champions League. 

“It would be nice both teams can go through to the next round which is quarter final because once you are there anything is possible. 

“It would be nice if we don’t win but it’s won by Pirates or if Pirates doesn’t win it, we win.”

Drawing inspiration from the dominance of North African clubs like Zamalek and Al Ahly, Mngqithi expressed his desire for South African teams to reach that level of success. He believes that having both Sundowns and Pirates in the Champions League group stages is a significant step in that direction.

“Just like Zamalek were doing it and Al Ahly for the longest time in the Champions League,” said Mngqithi.

“So, it would be nice to get ourselves to that level where not only the dominance of North Africans but also in the SADC region we are well-represented and I ‘m very excited for Pirates to go through and also very excited our boys made it through to the group stages.”    

Stellenbosch FC also joined the ranks of South African teams competing in CAF club competitions this season, successfully qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup. Unfortunately, Sekhukhune United were eliminated from the Confederation Cup in a closely contested tie against Clube Desportivo da Lunda-Sul.

The draw for the group stages of all CAF club competitions is scheduled to take place on 7 October. With multiple South African teams participating, the continent’s premier club competitions are set to be more competitive than ever before.