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Despite a reduction from the initial plan of 24 teams to only eight, Motsepe and FIFA president Gianni Infantino confidently forecasted that the competition will be expanded in the future.
Africa football governing body, CAF announced at its General Assembly that the much-anticipated African Super League, renamed the African Football League (AFL), will begin on October 20, 2023.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has passionately advocated for the league since its inception.
Despite a reduction from the initial plan of 24 teams to only eight, Motsepe and FIFA president Gianni Infantino confidently forecasted that the competition will be expanded in the future.
Despite an announced financial deficit of $15.7 million for the 2022/23 financial year, the competition is set to run concurrently with the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup during the 2023-24 season.
CAF announced it will invest impressive annual prize pool of $100 million, including a remarkable $11.5 million for the victorious club.
The AFL aims to address the long-standing issue of inadequate prize money in CAF competitions, though details regarding sponsorships or broadcast deals for the AFL are yet to be announced.
"We have to make watching football by our citizens irresistible. It has to be irresistibly appealing to fans and it starts in our countries,” Motsepe emphasized during the assembly.
Surprisingly, with just three months until the tournament, CAF has yet to reveal the eight participating teams.
However, widespread reports have identified potential contenders as South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns (owned by Motsepe's family) and Petro Atletico from Angola.
TP Mazembe from Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt's Al Ahly, Horoya from Guinea, Morocco's Wydad Casablanca, Simba SC from Tanzania, and Tunisia's Esperance are also set to be included.
Echoing Motsepe's sentiments, FIFA president Infantino, a personal supporter of the project, underscored the need to invest in African club and national team football.
Infantino suggested the inaugural league will feature "eight great teams" and will eventually expand.
He confidently asserted, “It is our responsibility, duty, and task, and with the work and contribution of all of us as a team, we will succeed.”
This project is seen as a cornerstone for the development and global competitiveness of African football.
Also decided at the General Assembly was the removal of preliminary rounds in the Champions League and Confederation Cup, signalling another significant shift in African football.
The inaugural AFL season marks a new era in African football, carrying with it the hopes and dreams of the continent, and promising a surge in the popularity of the sport.
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