FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced at the Confederation of Africa Football’s (CAF) General Assembly in Abidjan that the new African Football League, which was initially planned to have 24 teams, will now start on October 20th with only eight teams participating.
“It will have eight great teams, which will be followed in the future with a bigger version,” Infantino told delegates. “We have to invest in African club football as well as national team football.”
“It is our responsibility, duty and task, and with the work and contribution of all of us as a team, we will succeed.”
There is limited information available about the upcoming competition, which is scheduled to start in just over three months. The participating teams have not been officially confirmed by CAF.
However, it is understood that the eight teams will include Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, owned by CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s family, 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.
It is important to note that this competition will run alongside CAF’s Champions League and is not intended to replace it.
Specific information regarding broadcasters, sponsors, and logistics is currently undisclosed. Initially, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) proposed a prize money of $100 million, with $11.5 million going to the winner.
Additionally, a solidarity fund was planned, which would allocate $1 million per year to each of the 54 member associations of CAF for football development.
However, it is uncertain if this plan is still in effect. Motsepe, who has emphasized the need to enhance the appeal of African football to a global audience, has expressed that the new league will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
“We have recognised for many years that African football players have been among the best in the world, but we have to improve the appeal of African football, its commercial viability and its capacity to sustain itself,” Motsepe told delegates on Thursday.
He also urged the president of the association and governments throughout the continent to increase their investments in the sport.
“We have a huge amount of confidence that the progress we are making and with the talent we have in Africa, it will result in an African nation winning the World Cup (one day).”
“But we have to spend money on coaching the coaches, opening academies, and ensuring professional clubs have sufficient resources.”
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