While the Betway Premiership is three weeks from the long-awaited kick-off, several South African teams have been in action with mixed fortunes on international fronts. We look at five talking points from the weekend’s football.
While the Betway Premiership is three weeks from the long-awaited kick-off, several South African teams have been in action with mixed fortunes on international fronts. Here, we look at five talking points from the weekend’s football.
1 Bucs held at bay by Madagascan fishermen
Orlando Pirates returned home empty-handed after they fired blanks in the opening leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round, first-leg clash against Disciples FC.
A goalless draw was hardly on the cards since highly-fancied Pirates were up against an amateur team from Antsirabe, a city in Madagascar. Several Disciples FC players are fishermen. Even more embarrassing for Pirates was that although Disciples FC were the hosts, they too were playing away from home. Disciples FC’s home ground is not CAF-approved.
2 Stellies strike it rich off and on the field
Days after Stellenbosch FC struck it rich in the transfer market after the sale of their prized players skipper Deano van Rooyen and talismanic striker Iqraam Rayners, the Winelands side opened their maiden continental campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory.
They were up against eSwatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs in a CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Three goals were fitting reward for Stellenbosch FC who played an entertaining game, only easing the pressure on the visitors in the final stages of the match.
3 Downs Ladies humbled at US tournament
The champion Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies outfit was rudely surprised at the Women’s Cup tournament in the US.
The six-time South African Championships and two-time CAF Champions League title-holders failed to score in two outings. They went down 3-0 to Kansas City Current and 2-0 to Japan’s INAC Kobe.
Sundowns coach Jerry Tshabalala said the defence could not cope with the pace and precision of the opponents. He feels it is one area the squad will need to work on if they want to maintain their stranglehold on African women’s football.
4 UWC Ladies are back
After suffering defeat in their opener, the UWC Ladies stormed back with a 3-0 win over Namibia’s FC Ongos in Malawi on Saturday. The match was a CAF Women’s Champions League Group A qualifier.
In their opener, UWC lost 1-0 to Zambians Green Buffaloes. On Monday, UWC defeated Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens 2-0 in their final group match to advance to the semi-finals. If UWC end up winning the final, they will join Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.
5 Clubs enjoy a huge CAF cash injection
In line with a promise made by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, clubs will enjoy greater financial assistance. Clubs participating in the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup will receive $50,000 (about R890,000) each.
This is the first time CAF has offered financial assistance to clubs at this stage of the competitions. Previously, clubs needed to reach the group stages to be eligible to share the overall prize money. In the past two years, the CAF executive has significantly increased investment in African club football.
Pirates and Stellenbosch are the first South African clubs to enjoy this bonus, even if they fail to reach the second round. Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns will play in the second preliminary rounds of the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League.
They will also enjoy a $50,000 bonus.
