SuperSport and Sky Sports apologized for technical issues disrupting AFCON 2023's Senegal vs. Gambia match broadcast worldwide.
SuperSport have faced significant technical difficulties during the live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 match between Senegal and Gambia.
The game, which featured several Premier League stars, was being broadcast live from the Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast.
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The broadcast encountered a series of disruptions that left viewers across Africa frustrated.
Initially, the audio feed was lost, leaving fans without sound. Shortly after, the video feed also failed, compounding the issues for those eagerly watching the Group C game.
SuperSport quickly acknowledged the problem on social media, stating: "We're experiencing technical difficulties with the pictures incoming from the venue in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 match between Senegal and Gambia. Our team is actively working to resolve the issue."
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The situation escalated when the picture quality deteriorated, leading to a total blackout of the broadcast.
This disruption was not confined to SuperSport; Sky Sports, another major broadcaster of the event, also experienced similar issues as per The Sun.
A message flashed on the screen apologizing to viewers for the broadcasting error, indicating that the coverage problem was widespread.
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The fans’ reactions were swift and vocal, especially on social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter). One user expressed their disappointment, saying, "This AFCON coverage on Sky Sports is a disgrace!"
"Sky Sports absolutely smashing the AFCON coverage," the frustration was palpable as another comment read: "Sky Sports just gave up with the AFCON coverage."
The technical problems during such a high-profile event have raised concerns about the preparedness of broadcasters in handling large-scale live sports events.
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The Africa Cup of Nations, being a prestigious tournament, attracts a significant global audience.
Issues like these not only disrupt the viewer experience but also raise questions about the reliability of sports broadcasting networks.
The match itself, taking place in one of the six stadiums built specifically for AFCON 2023, was a showcase of talent from the African continent, with several current English Premier League players participating.
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Despite the broadcasting hiccups, the game's significance as a part of AFCON 2023 remained a highlight for football fans worldwide. However, the service was later restored.