Kaizer Chiefs’ AFL Hopes in Jeopardy After Africa Club Rankings Drop
As CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the African Football League (AFL) will return next season, uncertainty looms over Kaizer Chiefs’ potential inclusion in the competition following a significant drop in their African club ranking.
The AFL, which debuted last year as an eight-team tournament, was paused for the current season to accommodate clubs preparing for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. However, Motsepe, after securing re-election as CAF President, has announced that the competition will resume with an expanded format of 16 or even 24 teams.
Chiefs’ Ranking Woes
While CAF’s official selection criteria for the tournament remain unclear, reports suggest that Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs were considered alongside Mamelodi Sundowns to represent South Africa. However, Chiefs’ recent form raises doubts about their eligibility, especially if club rankings play a role in the selection process.
According to Footballdatabase.com, Amakhosi have slipped to 100th place in Africa, a stark contrast to their domestic rivals. Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning PSL champions, are ranked second on the continent, just behind Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Meanwhile, Pirates have surged up the rankings to 11th place, overtaking historic African clubs like Wydad Casablanca and AS Vita Club.
Even Stellenbosch FC has seen an upward trend, climbing to 44th place in Africa, a testament to their consistent performances in the domestic league.
Chiefs’ Standing in South Africa and FIFA Rankings
In South Africa, Chiefs are ranked eighth, the same position they currently hold in the Betway Premiership standings. This highlights their struggles under head coach Nasreddine Nabi, as the club has been unable to maintain consistency throughout the season.
Despite their struggles, Chiefs were ranked 12th in Africa by FIFA in their Club World Cup ranking pathway, which took results from 2021 to 2024 into account. Interestingly, Pirates were not featured in FIFA’s top 30, despite their rise in the Footballdatabase rankings.
Will Chiefs Be Invited?
The big question remains whether Chiefs’ historical status and commercial appeal will be enough to secure them an invitation to the AFL despite their poor ranking. If CAF prioritizes recent performance, Amakhosi could miss out, giving way to more in-form teams.
With the tournament set to return in the next campaign, Chiefs will have to improve drastically in the coming months if they hope to be part of Africa’s premier club competition.
