Rulani's Pyramids close-in on Sundowns in Africa club rankings

Mamelodi Sundowns have maintained their position as Africa’s top-ranked club on the FootballDatabase website despite their elimination from the CAF Champions League.

The Brazilians remain at number one on the continent with 1,694 points, continuing to lead the African rankings following their disappointing exit from the prestigious continental competition.

Africa's no.1 spot: Still Sundowns'

However, their grip on top spot is under increasing pressure, with Egyptian side Pyramids FC sitting just 16 points adrift in second place.

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The Rulani Mokwena-led side could close the gap or potentially overtake the Tshwane giants after qualifying for the Champions League group stage, giving them an opportunity to accumulate more ranking points.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly occupy third position in Africa, trailing Sundowns by 47 points. Like Pyramids, they have also qualified for the group stage of inter-club competition (albeit the CAF Confederation Cup), placing them in a strong position to challenge the dominance of the men in Yellow and Blue in the continental rankings.

The side that knocked them out? Ranked 96th in Africa

Meanwhile, Angolan outfit Wiliete, who eliminated defending champions Sundowns from the Champions League, are ranked 96th in Africa. Their victory over Miguel Cardoso's men highlighted the unpredictable nature of continental football, where results on the pitch do not always reflect the differences in club rankings.

Where Sundowns stand on the World Stage

On the global stage, Sundowns have remained steady, occupying 59th position in the world rankings. Their position places them ahead of several well-known European clubs, including Spain’s Real Sociedad in 61st place, French side Lille in 66th, and English Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in 69th. 

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Despite their continental disappointment, the Chloorkop-based outfit’s latest rankings underline their continued standing among Africa’s leading clubs.

Nevertheless, with Pyramids and Al Ahly set to compete in the group stages of both the Champions League and Confederation Cup, the race for the continent’s number-one position could become increasingly competitive.

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Caf Champions League Mamelodi Sundowns News Pyramids FC Rulani Mokwena