CAFCL: Ex-SuperSport star Boateng praises Orlando Pirates and Sundowns' Impressive run

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns Media.

Former Ghana international Richard Kissi Boateng has been left in awe about the massive output of South African football in this year’s continental club competition.

Kissi Boateng who once played for PSL side, SuperSport between 2017 and 2019, says the country’s investment in facilities has helped the nation’s football rise to an appreciable level which is now evident in CAF club competition.

The left back, who is capped six times by the Black Stars of Ghana, spoke to Pan Africa Football. “I really enjoyed my time in South Africa. They have very good facilities, very good training. Everywhere there are good pitches,” Kissi Boateng told Pan-Africa Football.

“[They have] everything that makes a footballer come out with his best. Trust me, I have been around Africa playing football but when I got to South Africa I realized they have the best facilities if it comes in terms of football and I really enjoyed my moment there.

“I am not surprised their football has risen to the level we are seeing now in Africa.”

South African football will be well represented in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup this season with three teams combined reaching the enviable level. On Tuesday, Mamelodi Sundowns sealed their spot in the CAF Champions League semifinals by beating Tunisia side, Esperance 1-0 on aggregate.

This was followed by Pirates’ 1-0 aggregate win over Algeria’s MC Alger in the other quarterfinal clash played at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday. Another PSL side, Stellenbosch FC advanced to their first ever CAF Confederation Cup semifinals after Steve Barker’s charges stunned African giants Zamalek in their own backyard, beating them 1-0 on Wednesday night.

This is the first time history of this nature has happened in South African football which is a feather in the cap of the Premier Soccer League. Sundowns will face Al Ahly over two legs while Pirates will play against Pyramids in the other semifinals.

Meanwhile, Stellies will play against Tanzanian giants Simba SC who are coached by South Africa’s Fadluraghman Davids in the CAF Confederation Cup semi finals.