Finally establishing ourselves on the African continent

indeed.

Orlando Pirates initiated the current CAF trend way back in 1995, but at the time no other PSL team really caught on to that very big hint from them. Mamelodi Sundowns, perhaps by the sheer force of wins on the local grounds, found themselves having to comply with the nuisance of tackling CAF games. In the end, they came out tops, their misgivings notwithstanding.

Now Sundowns are calling for a better alignment of the local league calendar to dovetail with the CAF competitions. That is significant in that it signals a long term view of CAF on their part.

Currently we have the pleasing spectacle of three PSL teams flying the flag in CAF contests: Sundowns, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits. As for SuperSport, they got the worse end of the

DRC’s TP Mazembe last weekend when they drew 2-2 here at home with their Congolese visitors. A month ago the same SuperSport had managed a 5-3 win against Gabon’s Mounana FC.

SuperSport have won a single game and drawn two for five points. This makes them top rooster on the Caf Confederations Cup log and they, along with Mazembe, progress to the next round, meanwhile, Platinum Stars and Kaizer Chiefs have already been booted out of the continental scene.

Granted from a local fan’s point of view, these faraway competitions pale in comparison to what the local menu offers by way of prize-money and prestige. But the sofa coaches will over time recite all the big names of the teams from north of the Limpopo river.

The sum of participating at this level for South Africa is that over time we will become battle hardened. We will have invaluable experiences doled out among teams, their managers and local soccer