The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe launched the African Super League in Arusha Tanzania.
The super League project which will kick off in August 2023 targets to develop football in Africa and become more competitive and self sustaining.
“This is one of the most exciting projects in the history of African football and will significantly contribute to the development and growth of the quality and competitiveness of football in Africa.” Said Patrice Motsepe.
“The Africa Super League would contribute to ensuring that football on the African Continent is managed and operated at the same professional, ethical and governance level as UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and other Confederations” added the CAF president.
The African Super League received backing from FIFA and it was welcomed besides the European Super League which was kicked out by several footballing bodies in Europe.
The FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dubbed it an historical moment in African football which will improve on club football.
“As FIFA President, I am happy to witness such a historic moment of this exciting football project to boost and improve club football in Africa. African club football needs to be brought to the next level and to do that, it is important to be innovative and to have new ideas, while fully respecting the existing institutional framework. The Africa Super League, built within the international football pyramid structure, is a project which will make African club football shine in Africa and beyond.” Said Gianni Infantino.
The African Super League will a see a total of 24 clubs competing in the league format which will run for 10 months from August to May with clubs being promoted and others relegated at the end of every season.
The super League will see huge sums of prize money in USD 100million which is five times more than the African champions League. The winner will walk away with USD 11.5 million.
Participating teams will be selected through three regions and each region is entitled to 8 clubs with a maximum of three teams per country.
The region’s are North Region, Central/West Region and the South/East region.
The Africa Super League will support the growth of club football, the construction and maintenance of football infrastructure and facilities, as well as the training and the retention of football talent on the African Continent.
