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Welcome to a new era for soccer, a new Super League. Just not the one you were expecting. As outlined in a previous post, a new African Super League is launching, while the European Super League winds its way through the courts.
The background of the African Super League
The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) president Patrice Mostepe announced in August 2022 that the African super League would take place.
The League would provide an opportunity for clubs across the Continent to showcase their talents. The prize money for the League is slated to be a massive $100 million.
Dr. Motepe stated, “The Africa Super League would contribute to ensuring that football on the African Continent is managed and operated at the same professional, ethical and governance level as UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, and other Confederations.”
The African Super League was first suggested by Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, back in 2020, and it has been in planning ever since. However, the players union in South Africa has come out against the League. They stated:“Professional football in South Africa and Africa could be at risk if the resolution to commence with the Super League is implemented and there may be no return from the wreckage that a Super League can become.”
The number of teams that will be participating in the African Super League
As of yet, it is unclear how many teams will compete in the League. However, multiple reports have claimed that there’ll be 24 clubs that will be drawn into groups of three. There will be eight teams ahead of a knockout starting from the round of 16. The clubs participating in the League would be obliged to meet specific criteria concerning women’s football development and youth to take part and stay in the League.
Participants must be the top-ranked African clubs over the last few years based on performance. The groups that will compete will be divided into North, Central/West, and East/South groups.
The format that will be followed in the African Super League
As mentioned, likely 24 clubs will participate in the African Super League. There is a maximum club limit of 3 clubs per country. Three regions will be participating. Each region will have 8 clubs participating in the competition.
The League estimates it will represent a total of 1 billion people, with over 16 different countries taking part from the entire African Continent.
The League will last for about 10 months, and it’ll take place from August 2022 to May 2023.
A total of 197 matches will be played over the course of these months, and the maximum number of matches finalists can play is 21.
Although officials claimed there were intentions to switch back to a two-legged knockout competition without the group stage, CAF intends to remain with its club showpiece, styled on the Champions League format.
What will be the Prize money for the African Super League?
The African Super League will have prize money of $100 million. The winner receives $11.5 million. Additionally, each of the 24 participating clubs (no more than three per nation) would receive $2.5 million.
Each of the 54 CAF member nations are scheduled to receive $1 million annually from the African Super League’s finances. This means that a total of $54 million per annum will be for the development and betterment of football in all African countries. The CAF will also receive a total of $50 million per annum for the development of football for boys and girls, to improve and make all its other competitions appealing to the global audience, sponsors, and other partners.
When does the African Football League start?
The African football league kicks off in August 2023.
What are the arguments for the African Super League?
Organizers and boosters for The African Super League claim it will serve as a means of showcasing the football talent the African Continent possesses. The CAF president, Patrice Motespe said that the league will have a positive effect and it will boost the quality and competitiveness of football in Africa.
Not only this, supporters say the League will be highly beneficial to the African Continent as a whole as it will create economic benefits for the countries involved.
Time will tell.
