The kick-off of the brand new eight-team African Soccer League was confirmed for Oct. 20 by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who made the announcement on the Confederation of Africa Soccer’s (CAF) Normal Meeting in Abidjan on Thursday.
The competitors has been drastically scaled down from the unique proposal of 24 groups.
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“It’ll have eight nice groups, which will probably be adopted sooner or later with an even bigger model,” Infantino advised delegates. “We’ve to put money into African membership soccer in addition to nationwide workforce soccer.
“It’s our accountability, responsibility and job, and with the work and contribution of all of us as a workforce, we are going to succeed.”
Not way more is thought of the competitors just a little over three months earlier than it’s set to kick off, with CAF but to formally affirm the collaborating groups.
Nevertheless, sources have advised Reuters the eight groups are set to be: South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who’re owned by the household of CAF president Patrice Motsepe, Petro Atletico from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe, Al Ahly from Egypt, Horoya from Guinea, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, Tanzania’s Simba and Esperance of Tunisia.
The competitors will run concurrently with CAF’s Champions League for home league winners throughout the continent and isn’t a substitute.
Particulars round broadcasters, sponsors and logistics additionally stay underneath wraps for now. When initially proposed, CAF promised $100 million in prize cash with $11.5m for the winner.
One of many spin-offs was to be a solidarity fund that may see every of the 54 member associations of CAF obtain $1m-per-year in the direction of soccer improvement. It isn’t clear if that is still the case.
Motsepe has spoken at size lately of needing to enhance African soccer to make it extra interesting to a worldwide viewers, with the brand new league mentioned to be key to that.
“We’ve recognised for a few years that African soccer gamers have been among the many greatest on the earth, however we have now to enhance the attraction of African soccer, its industrial viability and its capability to maintain itself,” Motsepe advised delegates on Thursday.
He additionally known as on the affiliation president and governments throughout the continent to speculate extra within the recreation.
“We’ve an enormous quantity of confidence that the progress we’re making and with the expertise we have now in Africa, it should lead to an African nation profitable the World Cup [one day].
“However we have now to spend cash on teaching the coaches, opening academies, and making certain skilled golf equipment have enough assets.”
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Revealed : 2023-07-14 07:27:08
