Southern Africa: Orlando Pirates Can Claim Victory for Whole Cosafa Region

19 May 2022
Council of Southern African Football Associations (Johannesburg)

Orlando Pirates will have the chance to add a first continental trophy to their silverware cabinet in 27 years when they take on Moroccan side RS Berkane in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup in Uyo, Nigeria on Friday.

The Buccaneers were Champions Cup winners in 1995, famously defeating ASEC Abidjan 1-0 away in the second leg of the decider to claim the victory on aggregate.

They have since been to the final of the Champions League (2013) and Confederation Cup (2015) without reward, but get another go at a continental title, which would be a huge moment in the careers of co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids.

"We have not had the best of seasons. That's the truth," Ncikazi said. "At least this is a sign that the team exists, that the team has capacity. They've done it before they can still do it again. For me that was a boost for us in management.

"At least, while you know we didn't have a good season in the league, we are still in the cup. It was important to reach to the final and it will be important to preferably win it at the end. We have to go and fight in Nigeria for that."

COSAFA clubs have traditionally had a tough time in CAF club competition finals, but there have been pockets of success, with Zambian side Power Dynamos the first to lift a continental title when they win the 1991 CAF Cup Winners' Cup.

Here is a list of all CAF finals involving COSAFA teams.

CAF Champions Cup/League

1990 - Nkana FC (Zambia) lost to JS Kabylie

1995 - Orlando Pirates (South Africa) beat ASEC Abidjan

1998 - Dynamos (Zimbabwe) lost to ASEC Abidjan

2013 - Orlando Pirates (South Africa) lost to Al Ahly

2016 - Mamelodi Sundowns (South) Africa) beat Zamalek

2020/21 - Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) lost to Al Ahly

CAF Confederation Cup

2015 - Orlando Pirates (South Africa) lost to Etoile de Sahel

2017 - SuperSport United (South Africa) lost to TP Mazembe

CAF Cup Winners' Cup

1982 - Power Dynamos (Zambia) lost to El Mokawloon SC

1991 - Power Dynamos (Zambia) beat BCC Lions

1998 - Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) lost to Esperance

2001 - Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) beat InterClube

2001 - InterClube (Angola) lost to Kaizer Chiefs

CAF Cup

1994 - Primeiro de Maio (Angola) lost to Bendel Insurance

1997 - Petro Atletico (Angola) lost to Esperance

Read the original article on Cosafa.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2022 Council of Southern African Football Associations. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.