The inaugural African Football Confederation (AFL) was launched last week, representing CAF’s most ambitious attempt yet to transform and modernize club football across the continent.
The new CAF tournament and supported by FIFA, promises to bring the cream of African teams to a global audience.
As the AFL prepares for today’s semi-finals, here’s a closer look at the ground-breaking competition that promises to upend the status quo.
What is the AFL?
The AFL is Africa’s new elite club competition featuring eight of the strongest teams from different regions competing in a knockout format.
The 16-match tournament culminating in a two-legged final will award $4 million in prize money to the winning club.
CAF and FIFA announced plans for the AFL in February 2020 to provide a new pan-African club platform and change the face of the sport in Africa.
Who plays in the AFL?
The eight AFL participants were selected based on the ranking of clubs from North, Central-West and South-East Africa.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who have won a record 11 CAF Champions League titles, headline the inaugural edition.
Fellow North African clubs Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Esperance of Tunisia, with nine titles between them, add more continental pedigree.
Five-time DR Congo champions TP Mazembe and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, two-time African kings, offer further quality.
Other clubs in the competition are Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Atletico Petroleos de Luanda (Angola) and Simba SC (Tanzania).
What is the AFL Format & Schedule?
The AFL will be played on a direct knockout basis over seven rounds culminating in a two-legged final on 5 and 11 November 2022.
The quarter-final matches were played as double-headers on 28 and 29 October before today’s semi-finals took place.
Sundowns will host Al Ahli in the first leg of the first leg of the semi-finals, while Wydad Casablanca host Esperance in the other match of the day later in the evening.
The second leg will be played on Wednesday.
The schedule allows the tournament to be squeezed into the club’s existing calendar while exposing its stars to a new audience.
How can fans watch AFL worldwide?
In a break from the past, the AFL will be broadcast internationally via FIFA’s FIFA+ streaming platform as well as the AFL’s new website.
This digital approach will make the AFL easily accessible for supporters around the world, while potentially attracting younger audiences.
What is the wider impact of the AFL?
Central to the AFL is the vision of transforming club football in Africa and creating its premier teams globally competitive both on the field and commercially.
A key part of this plan is the equal distribution of revenue and resources among the 54 CAF members.
The AFL promises to stimulate growth across Africa and level the landscape in the continent’s favorite sport. It represents CAF’s boldest attempt to shake up the status quo and achieve lasting change in African football.
The AFL is embarking on a new era filled with intrigue but huge upside potential.
By taking the cream of African club football to the world, it could elevate Africa’s sporting status and transform its domestic leagues. The journey has begun.