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What is this strange competition labelled "the new era of African football"?
2023 will see the launch of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)-organized Africa Super League, a special inter-club competition for the continent's best football clubs.
The 44th General Assembly of the CAF, which was convened in August 2022 in Arusha, Tanzania, approved the ASL, which had been first proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in November 2019.
But while Africa prepares for "the new era of African football", what is this strange competition?
What is the Africa Super League?
The Africa Super League (ASL) is a project created to grow the value of football in Africa through investments, sponsors, development funds, and improved infrastructure.
It was created to make it the most valuable football club competition in Africa, ever realized.
The unprecedented competition will involve 24 clubs, representing over 16 different countries across the continent.
What is the goal of the Super League?
The Super League is being created to accelerate the development of football in Africa as well as support the expansion of clubs' talent, facilities and fans.
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Major focus points for CAF will be to increase the engagement of African football fans, increase interest, encourage growth and retention of African talents, and increase the financial strengths of clubs and member associations.
How does the Super League work?
The league will involve 24 clubs from three regions of Africa. Eight teams have been selected from the three regions, with 16 different countries being represented.
A total of 197 matches will be played over 10 months, between August 2022 and May 2023.
At the end of the matches in May 2023, a final is will host two teams in a stadium to be christened the "Super Bowl of Africa".
Is the ASL similar to the failed European Super League?
In April 2021, twelve major European clubs formally announced that they would be forming the European Super League to start in August of the same year.
The founding clubs of the Super League tournament wanted to generate massive revenues, which eventually was intended to be distributed amongst UEFA, national associations, and leagues, but only after the teams get their fair share of profit.
The announcement, however, received wide opposition from fans, UEFA, FIFA, and some national governments, with most slamming it for elitism and rivalling Europe's premier club football tournament: the UEFA Champions League.
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The Africa Super League project which has been in the pipeline since it was first suggested by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in early 2020, has to date, not been met with similar derision and outrage that followed Europe's attempt.
Will a Nigerian team play in the ASL?
Nigeria's record champion Enyimba is one of 24 teams expected to play in the competition.
What teams will compete against Enyimba?
10-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly, Egyptian giants Zamalek, South Africa's duo of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, Morocco's city rivals Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca, CAF Confederations Cup defending champions RS Berkane, Simba of Uganda, Yanga of Tanzania, and five-time CAF Champions League winners TP Mazembe are some of the teams already confirmed to be a part of the inaugural edition of the competition.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that for a team to play in the subsequent editions of the Super League, they will need a football academy and a women’s team.
How much is at stake in the ASL?
The total prize money for the Africa Super League will be US$100 million, with the winner receiving US$11.5 million, and each participating club receiving an initial cash injection of US$2.5 million.
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