What has been prevented in Europe so far will become reality in Africa: A Super League will start there in 2023.
The Super League is scheduled to start in August 2023. The crucial difference to the previously failed attempt in Europe is the fact that the league is to take place under the umbrella of the African confederation CAF – comparable to UEFA. In addition, some questions remain unanswered.
Why is the Super League coming?
The main driving force behind the introduction of the new tournament is money. The CAF described the financial prospects at the decision of the competition on July 3 as a total of 100 million US dollars. According to Patrice Motsepe (CAF President), the winner should receive 11 to 12 million US dollars. For comparison: In the African Champions League, the previous premier class of African club football, the winner received 2.5 million US dollars.
“We have been inundated with requests from investors and sponsors eager to work with us in the CAF Super League. The league has huge potentialMotsepe said. But other competitions and African football as a whole should also benefit from the money, Motsepe claims.
Which teams are playing?
Some participants are considered safe, especially the big names in African club football. Al-Ahly and Zamalek from Egypt, AC Wydad and Raja Casablanca from Morocco, Esperance and Etoile du Sahel from Tunisia, Simba SC from Tanzania, TP Mazembe and AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered safe participants, as are the Mamelodi Sundowns South Africa – Mamelodi’s President and owner is CAF President Motsepe.
There are other contenders including South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, Sudan’s Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, Nigeria’s Enyimba, and Algeria’s JS Kabylie, CR Belouizdad and MC Alger. According to African media reports, a five-year CAF ranking could at least play a role in clarifying the approval.
It is clear that the CAF will not take all of its 54 member associations into account, the selection could lead to sport-political conflicts – even if all 54 associations had previously commissioned the Executive Committee to found the Super League.
How many clubs are there and how does the mode work?
The field of participants is still unclear, according to reports, 24 clubs should be there. Further details are to be announced at the CAF Congress on August 10th. Another exciting question: What should the mode look like? Are there regional groups to curb long-distance travel?
The best clubs in the Super League should play in the new FIFA Club World Cup. The reformed FIFA tournament with 24 teams is actually a done deal. The first edition of this format in China in 2021 was canceled in favor of the EM/Copa being postponed, and implementation then took a back seat to the failed attempt to introduce a two-year rhythm for the World Cup. It is currently not known when the Club World Cup will be held for the first time with 24 teams.
What about the other competitions?
According to Motsepe, the two African club competitions Champions League and Confederation Cup should continue. It is not yet known whether they will be played at the same time or whether they should avoid the Super League on the dates. “However, all competitions are checked“Motsepe said. Changes to the respective format are therefore conceivable.
The Super League can also have consequences for national competitions, for example in the competition for TV money and free game dates. The money from the new league also poses the risk that the top clubs will continue to outperform the other clubs in their domestic leagues financially and in terms of sport.
What role does FIFA play?
The CAF has been under the great influence of FIFA for years. After the departure of President Ahmad Ahmad (including allegations of corruption), the CAF was temporarily under the command of FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura. Critics say the CAF is now a “subsidiary” of FIFA, the current President Motsepe was supported in his election by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino, who had spoken out in favor of the Super League in Africa, attended the crucial meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, according to CAF. motsepe”thanked for supporting the formation of the Super League“.