African football fans were treated to another action-packed weekend of CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup action, with South Africa’s top clubs delivering contrasting performances. From Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance to Orlando Pirates’ heavy defeat and Ashley Du Preez’s unforgettable miss, here’s how the Mzansi drama unfolded.
Rulani Mokwena’s Mamelodi Sundowns continued their imperious run in the CAF Champions League, securing a commanding 5-1 away victory over Remo Stars that underlined why they remain Africa’s most consistent club.
The Brazilians were clinical and composed, signaling their intent for a deep continental run.
Key highlights from Sundowns’ dominant performance:
Sundowns’ form suggests they are already on course for the group stages, with their balance between attack and defence making them the team to beat in this year’s competition.
It was a weekend to forget for Orlando Pirates, who endured a humbling 3-0 loss in their CAF Champions League tie against FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the DRC. The Sea Robbers were undone by defensive errors and wasteful finishing, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Manager José Riveiro will need a fundamental tactical overhaul if the Buccaneers are to revive their campaign at Orlando Stadium. The Ghost Nation still believes in miracles, but a three-goal deficit against a determined opponent is a harsh reminder that complacency at this level can be costly.
Meanwhile, in the CAF Confederation Cup, Kaizer Chiefs secured a 0-0 draw against AS Simba, but the main talking point was the agonizingly missed chance by Ashley Du Preez.
In a moment that will haunt Amakhosi supporters, Du Preez found himself with a golden chance—one-on-one with the goalkeeper beaten—and somehow failed to convert. The unfortunate miss prevented Chiefs from securing a crucial away goal and a massive advantage heading into the second leg. Social media erupted as clips of the miss went viral, sparking endless memes and debates about Chiefs’ forward line.
From Sundowns’ runaway dominance in the Champions League to Pirates’ struggles and the critical draw secured by Kaizer Chiefs in the Confederation Cup, one thing is clear: South African football never disappoints. As both CAF competitions progress, the spotlight remains firmly on these clubs to uphold Mzansi’s football pride.
Fans across the continent are already looking ahead to the next round, where the stakes and the drama promise to rise even higher.
