CAF Announces Launch Of The Africa Super League
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday announced the launch of the Africa Super League, which aims to support clubs across the continent, during the 44th Ordinary General Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe addressed the global media during the launch of the Africa Super League in Arusha, Tanzania. He was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, leading football clubs officials, legends and the 52 Member Associations.
“The Africa Super League is one of the most exciting developments in the history of African football and the objective in terms of what we are trying to achieve is very clear, number one is to make sure African club football is world class and competes with the best in the world,” Motsepe said.
“This about the future of African football, this is about African taking charge of its future. To do this, we need money. Football is about finance. It is about having a product and the commercial backing for it. The success of club football is based on commercial viability.”
“The Africa Super League for us is thee most important intervention to the development and advancement of football in Africa. Football is a short career and football players have to maximise their earnings while they are playing.”
“I have been involved with clubs for many years in African football, I understand the challenges. African clubs have never had a good foundation, financially to keep some of the best players in Africa, to stay in Africa, from an income perspective,” Motsepe added.
“They love the continent, they want to be in Africa. So the financial part of club football is a critical issue and what we’re hoping to do is improve the quality of football. We need to get the spectators excited to watch local football so it’s as good as watching football anywhere in the world.”
“The next press conference that we will have is where we will be announcing the formal launch, giving you the final feedback in relation to commencement and the implementation of the Africa Super League.”
Motsepe appealed to African governments to help with the construction of CAF-approved stadiums to ensure every club play their football in their own countries.
It is a new dawn for Africa as the Super League would make football more attractive on the continent, and ensure the best players remain in Africa while improving the quality of the sport.
The Africa Super League — which will have a total prize money of $100 million, with the winner receiving $11.6 million — will have all Zones represented from across the continent. The Africa Super League will officially kick-off in August 2023.
Chidi Nwoke/CAF.
