By Adelani Ogunrinade
As the curtains gracefully closed on the first month of the new year, fans have been left breathless by the unimaginable quality of the football played on the continent. This article peels back some layers of the last few weeks in African football which have been glimpses of the rip-roaring entertainment 2025 promises.
A Sensational Sudanese Story
Following a dramatic conclusion to the group stages, eight of Africa’s finest aces managed to secure CAF Champions League quarter-final places. The dark horses of the tournament so far have undoubtedly been Sudanese Club, Al-Hilal.
In their narrative lies an African football story of outlandish glory!
As Sudan crumbles under the devastating weight of a civil war, the country’s biggest football club continues to shine beyond battle-scarred shores. More than 15,000 people have bowed to the cold hands of death due to the unrest in the North-Eastern nation. And, of course, there are the unsung, unmourned and undocumented citizens who were tragically caught in the web of this wicked world.
Amid the sinking scenes, Al-Hilal put smiles on Sudanese faces after topping Group A of the CAF Champions League with 10 points.
A Soweto Love Story
Like the highflyers from Omdurman and the Mauritanian Super D1 league, Orlando Pirates were one of the surprise packages of the group stages. The Buccaneers sent a statement of intent to competitors with a 2-1 victory over Al Ahly. Jose Riveiro’s heroes were unfazed by the red flares, lasers and the hostile crowd inside the intimidating fortress of Cairo International Stadium.
The sea Robbers love affair with winning spilt into the early days of February as over 90,000 loyal supporters gathered in the largest stadium in Africa for the biggest derby on the continent – The Soweto Derby!
The Iconic clash between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs is more than just a PSL battle for 3 points. This is a tale of 1 township, divided by the intense rivalry between 2 teams, yet unified by a shared love for the beautiful game.
Despite light rains falling over the 94,736-seater stadium, nothing could dampen the excitement in the air! As chants grew louder, the first chance of the match fell to the feet of Pule Mmodi who failed to dribble past the 6 feet tall frame of Pirates goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine.
As the match progressively settled, Orlando Pirates increasingly gained more control of the game and created more chances (most of which was wasted by Tshegofatso Mabasa).
Most of the big chances created in this intense battle came from transitional play, as both teams aimed to capitalize on any loss of possession or lapse in concentration. The Soweto giants looked set to settle for a goalless draw, until a controversial penalty was awarded deep into injury time. Patrick Maswanganyi stepped up to score a ravishing rabona that dramatically broke hearts in Gold and Black jerseys.
This last kick of the game was simply poetry in motion in what was a sweet game of strategy, passion, and extreme emotions!
Don’t forget to catch the Fut-Afrique show on SABC 1 Every Saturday at 13h30 CAT or subscribe to our YouTube channel for some of the finest football analysis on the continent, as we kick off the month of love with a deeper analysis of the Soweto derby & more! Don’t miss it!