Kaizer Chiefs’ CAF Champions League final hiding leaves Orlando Pirates smiling

While Kaizer Chiefs’ 3-0 defeat in Saturday’s CAF Champions League final may have been tough to swallow for Amakhosi fans, it would’ve left supporters of rivals Orlando Pirates thrilled.

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And not necessarily because Kaizer Chiefs failed to join the Buccaneers (and Mamelodi Sundowns) as South Africa’s only winners to date of Africa’s premier club competition.

Instead, Kaizer Chiefs’ loss has ruled them out of playing in Africa next season – and confirmed Orlando Pirates’ spot in the CAF Confederation Cup for 2021/22.

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Had Amakhosi beaten Al Ahly in Casablanca on Saturday, they would’ve been afforded the opportunity to defend their title next season as one of two permitted South African teams in the CAF Champions League (along with DStv Premiership winners Mamelodi Sundowns).

That would’ve seen DStv Premiership runners-up AmaZulu drop down into the second tier CAF Confederation Cup along with Nedbank Cup winners Marumo Gallants FC – and denied Orlando Pirates any African football next season.

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As it has panned out, this is how South Africa will be represented in Africa in the 2021/22 season:

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu FC

CAF Confederation Cup: Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants FC

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Meanwhile, Egypt’s Al Ahly won a record-extending 10th CAF Champions League title on Saturday with a 3-0 final victory over a 10-man Kaizer Chiefs in Morocco.  

A red card shown to Kaizer Chiefs’ Happy Mashiane on the stroke of half-time all but ended any hope Stuart Baxter’s men had of victory.

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Second half goals from Mohamed Sherif (53rd minute), Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy (64th minute) and Amr el Sulaya (74th minute) gave Pitso Mosimane’s men the win.

It was a historic victory for Al Ahly who became the first club to win back-to-back Champions League titles three times. 

Mosimane, who supported Kaizer Chiefs as a child, became the first African coach to win the competition three times.

He succeeded in 2016 with Mamelodi Sundowns and with Al Ahly last season in an all-Egyptian final against fierce rivals Zamalek.

Al Ahly pocketed $2.5 million for winning the CAF Champions League and are guaranteed at least another $3.5 million when they compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

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