The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has upped licensed requirements for Clubs to compete in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
All clubs participating in these competitions will be required to have Women clubs or else can’t get the license to take part in this competition next season.
And deadline set by CAF for club licensing will be June 30th this year.
“Letter from Member Association confirming the existence of Clubs Women’s first team and that the team is registered in official competitions played at National, regional or local level recognised by the Member Association,” reads a licensing requirement from CAF.
“If applicable, written agreement between the license applicant (club) with another entity who operates the Women team.”
It is not good news, especially for Ugandan Clubs, that have for the past years not even bothered to own Women Football clubs.
This season, Vipers won a domestic double winning the UPL title and the Uganda Cup, making history at the Kitende based side.
With Vipers already through to CAF Champions League by virtue of winning the League, the CAF Confederation Cup slot (which goes to Uganda Cup winner), will be awarded to KCCA who finished second in the league.
And the two said clubs, Vipers and KCCA both do not own any Women club that compete in the FUFA Competitions, as of now.
What Next for Vipers and KCCA?
For the past years, Vipers and KCCA have always been the dominant sides as they have represented the country at both the champions League and CAF confederation Cup competitions.
On all the occasions, they have presented men’s sides that have even made history to reach the CAF champions League group stages.
Back then for KCCA under Mike Mutebi’s reign, they made history when they stormed the group stages before Vipers reached the same fate recently this year.
But way back in 2020, CAF hinted on bringing up a rule that each participating club will have to present a Women’s club or else denied license.
And the new developments might now be put in action starting next campaign.
Following the new developments, African power house side Al Ahly SC have been reportedly acquired a certain Women Football that plays in their top division, to meet up with the new set CAF guidelines.
It remains to be seen if Vipers and KCCA can buy or enter into a partnership with Women teams.
