(Football News) During the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) General Assembly in Abidjan, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the new African Football League, featuring eight teams, will commence on October 20. This announcement was made by Infantino on Thursday.
Significantly, the tournament has been considerably reduced in size from the initial plan of including 24 teams.
In his address to the delegates, Infantino expressed his vision for the league, stating, “It will consist of eight excellent teams, and in the future, we hope to expand it further.” Infantino emphasized the importance of investing in both African club football and national team football, highlighting the need for development and growth in both aspects of the game.
Infantino said “We have a collective responsibility, duty, and task, and by working together as a team, we will achieve success.”
With a little over three months remaining until the kick-off, limited information is available about the upcoming competition. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to officially confirm the participating teams.
According to Reuters, it is understood that the eight teams set to participate are Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African champions who are owned by the family of CAF president Patrice Motsepe, Petro Atletico from Angola, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Al Ahly from Egypt, Horoya from Guinea, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, Simba from Tanzania, and Esperance from Tunisia.
Importantly, the competition will run concurrently with CAF’s Champions League, which features domestic league winners from across the continent. It should be noted that the newly announced African Football League is not intended to replace the existing Champions League but will exist as a separate and distinct competition.
Information regarding broadcasters, sponsors, and logistical aspects of the tournament is currently undisclosed by Infantino. In the original proposal, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had pledged a prize money pool of $100 million, with $11.5 million designated for the eventual winner.
Additionally, a significant outcome of the tournament was intended to be the establishment of a solidarity fund, whereby each of CAF’s 54 member associations would receive $1 million annually to support football development. However, it is uncertain if this aspect of the plan remains unchanged.
Over recent years, CAF President Patrice Motsepe has emphasized the need to enhance the appeal of African football on a global scale, frequently referring to the necessity of improving the “product.” The introduction of the new league is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this objective.
During the Confederation of Africa Football’s (CAF) General Assembly in Abidjan, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the new eight-team African Football League is set to commence on October 20. This scaled-down version of the competition was confirmed by Infantino, who emphasized the importance of investing in African club football and national team football. He expressed confidence in the collective effort of the teams involved, stating, “It is our responsibility, duty, and task, and with the work and contribution of all of us as a team, we will succeed.”
However, limited information is currently available regarding the competition, as CAF has yet to formally confirm the participating teams. According to Reuters, the eight teams expected to participate include Mamelodi Sundowns (South African champions owned by the family of CAF President Patrice Motsepe), Petro Atletico from Angola, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Al Ahly from Egypt, Horoya from Guinea, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, Simba from Tanzania, and Esperance from Tunisia.
The African Football League will run parallel to CAF’s Champions League, which features domestic league winners from across the continent. It is important to note that the new league does not serve as a replacement for the existing Champions League but exists as a separate competition.
Details concerning broadcasters, sponsors, and logistics are yet to be revealed. Initially, CAF had promised $100 million in prize money, with $11.5 million designated for the eventual winner. One of the proposed initiatives was the establishment of a solidarity fund, with each of CAF’s 54 member associations receiving $1 million annually for football development, although it is unclear if this plan remains in effect.
Motsepe has been vocal about the need to enhance the appeal of African football on a global scale, and the new league is considered a significant step in that direction. He stressed the importance of investing in coaching, academies, and resources for professional clubs, calling on association presidents and governments across the continent to allocate more funds to the sport. Motsepe expressed confidence in the progress being made and the talent present in Africa, believing that an African nation will eventually win the World Cup.
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