Kaizer Chiefs have created history by qualifying for the CAF Champions League group stages this season. It’s taken the Soweto giants 50 years to achieve the feat however which other South African clubs do they join in Africa’s elite club competition?
Kaizer Chiefs will become just the sixth South African club to feature in the group stages of the CAF Champions League before while Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates the only teams to have featured more than twice.
Sundowns and Pirates South Africa’s flag bearers
Mamelodi Sundowns have appeared in the group stages on seven previous occasions while this season will be their eighth expedition on the continent. Masandawana have achieved the mammoth feat of lifting the title back in 2016.
Orlando Pirates on the other hand have made four appearances in the CAF Champions League group stages. Kaizer Chiefs’ neighbours won the title in 1997 while falling just short in 2013.
Apart from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, three other South African teams have featured in the CAF Champions League group stages. Manning Rangers, Ajax Cape Town and SuperSport United complete the list while Kaizer Chiefs will become the sixth.
South Africa’s CAF Champions League appearances in detail
- Mamelodi Sundowns: Eight appearances (2000, 2001, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- Orlando Pirates: Four appearances (1997, 2006, 2013, 2019)
- Kaizer Chiefs: One appearance (2021)
- Ajax Cape Town: One appearance (2005)
- SuperSport United: One appearance (2004)
- Manning Rangers: One appearance (1998)
The draw for the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League group stages will take place on Friday, 08 January 2021 in Cairo at the CAF headquarters.
