In a notable shake-up of the continental football hierarchy, Orlando Pirates have surpassed perennial South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the latest African club rankings released by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
This new ranking also celebrates the impressive ascent of Stellenbosch FC, marking South Africa’s strong representation with three clubs in the continent’s top 20.
Orlando Pirates now lead the South African contingent, holding a commendable 5th position in Africa and 143rd globally, accumulating 130.25 points.
This significant rise is largely attributed to the Buccaneers’ consistent performances in both domestic and continental competitions, most notably their impressive semi-final run in the recent 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
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Their strong showing has even seen them leapfrog established North African powerhouses such as Morocco’s FAR Rabat, signaling a notable shift in the regional pecking order.
For the first time in a considerable period, Pirates stand as the highest-ranked South African side, an honour frequently held by their rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Despite Mamelodi Sundowns’ continued dominance in South African football, which saw them secure their eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title and reach the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, they find themselves ranked 9th in Africa and 181st globally with 112.75 points.
While their domestic supremacy remains unquestioned, their narrow loss in the continental showpiece against Egyptian powerhouse Pyramids FC appears to have subtly impacted their standing within the intricate IFFHS points system.
Nevertheless, the Brazilians remain a consistently formidable force on the continent, with their presence in the top 10 reaffirming their long-term success both locally and on the African stage.
Perhaps the most compelling story in the latest rankings is the groundbreaking inclusion of Stellenbosch FC, who have remarkably broken into the African top 20 for the first time.
The Western Cape based outfit are now ranked 17th on the continent and 289th globally with 80.25 points. This is a monumental achievement for a club that has only recently established itself in South Africa’s top flight.
Their meteoric rise is a testament to a fearless, youthful squad and their exceptional third-place finish in the Betway Premiership, which secured them a coveted spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Stellenbosch’s emergence underscores a growing depth within South African club football and highlights the significant returns on their strong developmental focus.
At the pinnacle of the African rankings, Egyptian clubs continue to assert their dominance. CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC lead the pack with a commanding 213.5 points, closely followed by continental stalwarts Al Ahly (209 points) and Zamalek SC (170 points).
This strong showing by Egyptian clubs unequivocally underlines North Africa’s enduring influence and formidable presence in continental club competitions.
With three clubs now firmly entrenched in the top 20, South Africa is notably well-represented among African football’s elite.
This upward trajectory suggests that even greater heights and a more sustained challenge for continental honours may be well within reach for South African clubs in the forthcoming seasons.