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) Basic Meeting in Abidjan on Thursday.
The competitors has been drastically scaled down from the unique proposal of 24 groups.
“It is going to have eight nice groups, which will likely be adopted sooner or later with an even bigger model,” Infantino instructed delegates. “We’ve got to spend money on African membership soccer in addition to nationwide workforce soccer.
“It’s our duty, responsibility and activity, 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 a bit over three months earlier than it’s set to kick off, with CAF but to formally verify the taking part groups.
Reuters understands the eight 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 alternative.
Particulars round broadcasters, sponsors and logistics additionally stay underneath wraps for now. When initially proposed, CAF promised $100-million in prize cash with $11.5 for the winner.
One of many spin-offs was to be a solidarity fund that can see every of the 54 member associations of CAF obtain $1-million per 12 months in the direction of soccer improvement. It isn’t clear if that is still the case.
Motsepe has spoken at size in recent times of needing to enhance the African soccer ‘product’ to make it extra interesting to a worldwide viewers, with the brand new league mentioned to be key to that.
“We’ve got recognised for a few years that African soccer gamers have been among the many greatest on the earth, however now we have to enhance the enchantment of African soccer, its business viability and its capability to maintain itself,” Motsepe instructed delegates on Thursday.
He additionally referred to as on the affiliation president and governments throughout the continent to take a position extra within the sport.
“We’ve got an enormous quantity of confidence that the progress we’re making and with the expertise now we have in Africa, it should lead to an African nation profitable the World Cup (in the future).
“However now we have to spend cash on teaching the coaches, opening academies, and guaranteeing skilled golf equipment have enough assets.”