It is a common complaint that our teams do not progress far enough in continental competitions. Given that a homegrown Mamelodi Sundowns side are currently the Champions League winners, perhaps this is the dawn of a new era. Let's see how the South African teams are shaping up after the first round of fixtures.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits will be the two South African teams competing in the 2017 CAF Champions League. Sundowns, as champions, begin their campaign in the first round, while Wits have to go through the preliminary round first.
The Clever Boys got off to a dreadful start with a 2-1 loss to AS Saint Louisienne from Reunion Islands. More embarrassingly, one of the goal scorers for the home team was a 41-year-old.
If Wits bounce back for the second round of fixtures and progress then they will face the mighty Al-Ahly of Egypt in the next round.
Platinum Stars and SuperSport United will be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup. Matsatsantsa got their campaign underway with a 0-0 draw to ASSM Elgeco Plus from Madagascar, while Dikwena beat Uniao Desportiva do Songo of Mozambique 1-0.
If SuperSport win the next game then they will face Al Ahly Shendi from Sudan. If Dikwena can hold onto their lead then they will face either Vipers from Uganda or Volcan Club from Mauritius - the team that was demolished by Kaizer Chiefs in this competition last year and then refused to show up for the return leg.
Mamelodi Sundowns are already through to the next round of the Champions League and will face either KCCA of Uganda or 1st de Agosto of Angola.
Do you think the South African teams have begun to take these continental competitions seriously?
