South African Football Association (Safa) president, Dr Danny Jordaan says he hopes the success of Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the recently-concluded PSL season can translate to that of the senior national team.
The Tshwane giants, who claimed the title for a third consecutive time, qualified for the Caf Champions League along with the Glamour Boys. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, will compete in the Confed Cup, thanks to finishing third on the log.
Mamelodi Sundowns congratulated
In a statement issued out by Safa, Jordaan congratulated Sundowns, as well as coach Pitso Mosimane and his technical team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sundowns Football Club for being true champions. This is their third league title on the trot and 10th overall and well done to coach Pitso Mosimane and his technical team for leading the team to the top again,” he said.
Dr Danny Jordaan, Safa president
A fourth team will join the “big three” in African club competition after Bloemfontein Celtic managed to qualify for the Nedbank Cup final, which they will contest against the treble-chasing Sundowns.
Jordaan said he was looking forward to seeing the teams flying the South African flag high on the continent, something he says bodes well for Bafana Bafana’s fortunes.
“When our clubs do well in CAF tournaments, it rubs off our national teams especially the senior men’s national team, Bafana Bafana,” he concluded.
Dr Danny Jordaan, Safa president
How SA teams have fared in Africa
Sundowns have been a constant feature in continental competition, and will draw keen attention from spectators having won the Caf Champions League in 2016.
Their latest bid to add a second star to their crest were halted in the 2019/20 tournament by eight-time champions Al-Ahly in the quarterfinal stage.
Another team to have conquered Africa is Orlando Pirates, who last did so in 1995.
The Buccaneers joined the Brazilians in the most recent champions league campaign, where their journey ended on the first hurdle.
They now return to the Confed Cup, where they last appeared in 2015, losing to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel in the double-legged final.
