Africa has become the first continent to officially announce the creation of a ‘Super League.’ Eventually named the African Football League, this competition is set to redefine the world of soccer, under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This thrilling journey commenced with a clash of titans on Friday, October 20, when Tanzania’s Simba SC locked horns with Egypt’s mighty Al-Ahly in Dar es-Salaam. The contest ended in a heart-pounding 2-2 draw, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
“Tanzania should be proud of what we are witnessing here today,” Motsepe told the captivated audience during the inaugural event.
More epic battles are on the horizon. Enyimba Aba from Nigeria is all set to face off against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, while TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo will lock horns with Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis. And that’s not all; Angola’s Petro de Luanda is ready to go head to head with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, a club owned by none other than Patrice Motsepe himself.
The return matches are scheduled for October 24 and 25, followed by the nerve-wracking semi-finals on October 29 and November 1. The grand finale will electrify fans on November 5 and 11. The coveted champion will claim a staggering 3.8 million euros in prize money, with the runner-up taking home 2.8 million euros, and even the semi-finalists bagging a substantial 1.6 million euros. The quarter-finalists won’t be left empty-handed, as they’ll be rewarded with 945,000 euros.
African Football League was originally designed for twenty-four teams, carefully selected based on their sporting prowess and geographical diversity. The continent was divided into three thrilling zones for the group stage, namely north, central and west, and south and east. However, a grand evolution awaits in 2024, with CAF handpicking the clubs invited to participate. Anticipate even more fantastic prizes, with the champion seizing a majestic 5.6 million euros.