Mamelodi Sundowns have reaped added CAF benefits after their gallant effort in knocking out Esperance from the Champions League in the quarterfinals.
That famous aggregate victory over the Tunisians has pushed Sundowns up to second on the CAF 5-year club ranking system.
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CAF uses this ranking system based on results from the preceding five years to determine which member association enters two clubs in its competitions along with club seeding matters ahead of draws in both the Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
Points are weighed according to the year of performance and then multiplied by a coefficient according to the year, with the most recent year carrying more value.
The Champions League carries more weight than the Confederation Cup.
Sundowns – who have gone past the group stage since 2019 – have since moved up to 57 points and counting, gaining the edge over Esperance, who will not be adding to the 57 points that they have garnered.
Regardless of what happens going forward, The Brazilians will be above Esperance as CAF considers the team with more points in the previous season as the highest-ranked.
This gives the Chloorkop-based side the edge over Esperance for the 2025/26 CAF competitions, which will encompass results from 2020/21 to 2024/25.
“That match allowed us to overcome Esperance because I have just been informed that Mamelodi Sundowns now has the second position on the rankings.
“So, it is wonderful to see that for South Africa, the club, players, and myself,” says Miguel Cardoso.
Sundowns’ participation in the Champions League next season is already guaranteed as they will finish either first or second in the Betway Premiership standings.
As one of the top 12 ranked nations on the continent according to the association rankings, South Africa is eligible to enter two teams in each of the two CAF club competitions.
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Mzansi is enjoying the comforts of fourth place with an opportunity to move into second behind Egypt with three clubs in the semifinals of the Champions League and Confederation Cup.
Orlando Pirates are down in 15th place with 30 points and with a chance of moving up if they reach the final, while Stellenbosch are 21st with 15 points.
