Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder and captain Hlompho Kekana believes this is a very important weekend for South African football. Three South African clubs will be playing in the group stages of the CAF inter-club competitions.

Kekana says local teams have what it takes to go all the way in both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

Sundowns are the most successful local side in the CAF Champions League. They have reached the group stage of Africa’s premier competition 16 times.

Sundowns also lifted the trophy in 2016. They are currently second in Group B with five points after four matches.

Kekana, the last local player to lift the coveted trophy, says the Pretoria based club should rely on the previous experience to reach the last-eight of the competition. The Brazilians will be away to Maniema Union of the DR Congo on Saturday afternoon.

“I am excited about these two teams that are competing in the continent for football. We really needed this as South Africans, you know to see our teams and the players being exposed to this kind of a tournament because that’s where they grow, that’s where they built their football in terms of confidence, in terms of other things that are happening in football. You know I’m happy that these two teams have got two games to go, and they are in a good position,” says Kekana.

Preparing for Saturday 💪#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/IhynCMIZTa

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) January 8, 2025

Sundowns defender Zuko Mdunyelwa says the away match against Maniema is a must-win for them.

“It is very important for us to go into that game and get maximum points and it will put us in a better position in the group and going outside the group because we are Mamelodi Sundowns, each game we play we want to win it.”

On the other hand, Orlando Pirates are top of Group C with eight points having also played four matches. But they still have to get something in their two remaining group matches to finish in the top two.

First, they host Algerian team CR Belouizdad on Sunday afternoon before travelling to Egypt for their final group match against Champions League defending champions Al Ahly. Kekana says winning at home is the biggest secret of doing well in CAF inter-club competitions.

“They just need to win their matches especially here at home. We need to make it a thing as South Africans that we win our home matches. It would be nice, it would be a very good thing for our country to see two teams going into the knockout stages,” Kekana adds.

⚫⚪ NEXT MATCH ☠

🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL
🆚 CR Belouizdad
🗓 12 January 2025
⏰ 15H00
🏟 Orlando Stadium
📺 @Official_SABC1
📺 @SuperSportTV 209

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/dWEF1fbNhV

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 10, 2025

Stellenbosch FC is South Africa’s sole representative in the Confederation Cup. Stellies also have a good chance of advancing to the last-8 of the competition, as they are lying second in Group B after four matches. Keeper Lee Langeveldt says their mission is to go all the way.

“With two games left one at home, one away anything is possible, but we are positive as a team we know what we can do. This weekend will be a tough game, but I believe we can win.”

Next up on the agenda 👇

🆚 Stade Malien 🇲🇱
🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCC
🏟 Loftus Versfeld Stadium
📅 Sunday, 12 January
🕙 15h00
📺 SABC Sport & SuperSport pic.twitter.com/WOFD6rYwre

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) January 10, 2025

All three South African teams will conclude their group stage campaigns next weekend. Sundowns will be the only local team playing at home against Moroccan club AS FAR, with both Pirates and Stellenbosch travelling to Egypt and Morocco respectively.