Orlando Pirates Break into Africa’s Top 10 After Champions League Triumph
Orlando Pirates’ impressive CAF Champions League away victory has propelled them into Africa’s top 10 club rankings, while Mamelodi Sundowns have further distanced themselves from Esperance in the continental standings.
The Buccaneers traveled to Algeria for their quarterfinal first-leg clash against MC Alger, entering the match ranked outside the top 10 on the continent by the Footballdatabase rankings. However, a hard-fought 1-0 win saw them climb up to eighth place for the first time, marking a remarkable rise from being outside the top 30 before their Champions League group stage campaign.
Pirates’ Rapid Ascent
Pirates’ progress in the rankings has been nothing short of exceptional. Over the past year, they have gained 194 points, surpassing several top clubs to establish themselves among Africa’s elite. Their latest victory also caused MC Alger to drop down to 16th place, further emphasizing the magnitude of Pirates’ achievement.
Sundowns Strengthen Their Hold on Second Place
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns continue to lead the way for South African football. The Tshwane giants were at risk of being caught by Esperance, who were closely trailing them in third place. However, a 1-0 win over the Tunisian side in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal extended their gap to 25 points over their North African rivals.
Despite their success, Sundowns have actually lost 19 points over the past year and now sit 50 points behind African club rankings leaders, Al Ahly.
Pyramids FC on the Rise
Egyptian side Pyramids FC have also been making waves in the rankings. After a dominant 4-1 win over FAR Rabat in the quarterfinals, they climbed to fourth place and are heavy favorites to meet the winner between Pirates and Alger in the semi-finals. Like Pirates, they have been steadily improving, gaining 151 points on a year-average basis.
Stellenbosch FC Defying Expectations
Elsewhere, Stellenbosch FC continue to punch above their weight in the CAF Confederation Cup. After holding Zamalek to a goalless draw in their quarterfinal first-leg clash, Stellenbosch are now ranked 45th in Africa—impressive considering that Zamalek, one of the continent’s historic giants, sits in ninth place.
With South African clubs making significant strides on the continental stage, the race for African club supremacy remains as competitive as ever. As the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup progress, both Pirates and Sundowns will be eager to further solidify their standings among the best in Africa.
