Jose Riveiro: CAF inter-club success a great ad for PSL football

For the first time ever, South Africa has three teams in the semi-final stages across the two continental tournaments – Pirates having joined Mamelodi Sundowns in the Champions League and Stellenbosch FC in the Confederation Cup.

Speaking after The Buccaneers played to a goalless draw to seal a 1-0 aggregate victory over Algeria’s MC Alger in the Champions League quarter-finals, Riveiro joked that they are by no means allies, but says it’s a big statement for SA football.

"They told me just now that Stellenbosch is in the next round, which is a huge achievement for them as well, and it's something to congratulate them and it's very good news for the league," said Riveiro after the match.

"I think it shows how competitive this league is, how difficult it is, and how well these teams are doing right now – no, we don't have the spirit of unity, we have the spirit of unity with ourselves...

"And at the same time, I'm not just trying to be nice, I think we're representing the country and the PSL, and we are doing it in a magnificent way, so we have to be happy to find the three teams in the last stages of the competitions.

"It's a huge achievement, trust me, but again, we are competitors when we have to be, and I think all of us – for them it's the same – have the capacity to understand that this is very good news for South African football."

It’s going to be SA vs Egypt in the Champions League last four, with Pirates facing Pyramids and Sundowns up against defending champions Al Ahly next weekend, while Stellies will entertain Tanzania’s Simba SC – also led by South African coach Fadlu Davids. 

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