African Football League Inaugural Season Kicks Off As CAF Unveils New Trophy | Game On | 20-10-23

Host: Favour Itua
Guest: Nosa Igunma, Sports Journalist, Benin, Edo, Nigeria.

Cape Town, South Africa – The African Football League's debut season kicked off today, with Tanzania's Simba SC hosting Egypt's Al Ahly in an action-packed encounter that ended in a 2-2 draw. This event took place at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

The African Football League, spearheaded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, was originally envisioned to feature Africa's top 24 clubs in a mini-league and knockout format. However, for its first year, eight teams, including Simba SC and Al Ahly, are participating in a knockout format. The other teams are Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Petro de Luanda (Angola), TP Mazembe (DRC), Es Tunis (Tunisia), Enyimba International (Nigeria), and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco).

These participating teams were selected based on ranking points, with a maximum of one representative from each country. While CAF had initially promised $100 million in prize money, with $11.5 million for the winner, each team is guaranteed $1 million for taking part in this inaugural season. The overall winner will receive $4 million, a substantial amount equal to the prize awarded to the CAF Champions League winners, despite playing fewer games.

The organizers are determined that the African Football League, which will run concurrently with CAF's Champions League, is a precursor to a fully-fledged AFL competition next season. This competition will feature the top 22 African football clubs. CAF and FIFA believe that the AFL will enhance the quality of African club football, increase its viewership and appeal to a broader audience, and generate more revenue to support infrastructure improvements and conditions in African football. This, in turn, is expected to encourage more players to remain in Africa instead of seeking opportunities in Europe.

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African Football League Inaugural Season Commences with Excitement As CAF Unveils New Trophy | Game On | 20-10-23

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