Africa club rankings: Downs show no improvement under Cardoso?

Mamelodi Sundowns have dropped in the Africa football club rankings despite qualifying for the CAF Champions League group stages for the 11th consecutive season. Sundowns had no issues progressing to the tournament's group stage campaign after a 7-1 aggregate rout of Remo Stars in the second preliminary round. Much of the side's success in that regard also has to do with the fact that their higher ranking ensures they do not play the first preliminary round and only enter the tournament in the following round. READ | Chiefs' tricky CAF group stage possibilities Being one of the highly-ranked teams also means they are guaranteed to be drawn against a lowly-ranked team in the preliminary draw, although a team being lowly-ranked does not always translate on the pitch. However, the Tshwane giants have dropped down to third position in the Africa rankings done by Football Database, which ranks clubs worldwide. Unlike CAF rankings, which only take into account matches in continental competitions, the website updates its rankings weekly, including domestic competitions. Masandawana dropping to third from second position in Africa, though, has much to do with Pyramids FC gaining more points by winning the CAF Champions League and recently claiming the CAF Super Cup after edging RSB Berkane in the final. As a result, the Egyptian side have catapulted to first position, pushing Al Ahly down to second spot in Africa. Sundowns could not capitalise on the Red Devils' early struggles in their domestic league, which triggered the parting of ways with head coach Jose Riveiro, as they have dropped 27 points on a one-year average in comparison to the previous year. On the other hand, Miguel Cardoso's men gained only one point on a one-year average, compared to the previous year, which shows they have stayed relatively on the same level compared to the past year. READ | Chiefs' new hope for goals gets report card After thrashing Saint-Eloi Lupopo 3-0 in the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round (and bowing out on penalties), Orlando Pirates have remained in 12 position in Africa, with much of their 72-point gain on a year-average amassed under Riveiro. The rise of Pyramids has seen them gain 106 points on a year-to-year average. Photo Credit: Gallo Images/Sayed Hassan