Africa Super League (ASL) is a competition officially launched by the Confederation Of African Football (CAF.) The primary intention of this is not to make profits but to encourage the development of African Football.
It is well-known that CAF has already established well-organised tournaments; the likes of CAFCL and CAFCC, for clubs in the continent that came top and second in their respective football leagues depending on the rating of their leagues and slots given to them.
However, on Wednesday, the President, of Confederations of African Football ( CAF) Patrice Motsepe in Tanzania, announced that the African Super League has been launched.
Major Objective Of The Africa Super League ASL
A key objective of the CAF Africa Super League project is the development and retention of raw talents within the African region.
From time immemorial, Africa has been an exporter of talents. Some of these talents end up getting acculturated elsewhere and representing foreign countries.
Through the Super League initiative, African football is poised to become globally competitive such that sustainable clubs can retain the continent’s finest players.
“A lot of resources will be going into branding and broadcast. A total of Fifty Million Dollars shall be geared towards improving infrastructure, as well as youth and women’s football. Thirty Million Dollars shall be invested in communication and marketing of the ASL, aside from the competition prize money and the CAF member nations’ solidarity fund.” Mosetpe said.
Benefits of The ASL To CAF-Member Countries
It has been explained that the Africa Super League ASL will generate a yearly income of Two hundred Million US Dollars ($200.) This will aid in achieving the purpose of the initiation of the league.
While half the amount (i.e. 100 Million Dollars) shall be shared between participating clubs, the other half shall be invested in football development across Africa. Each of CAF’s 54 member associations is expected to receive at least one Million Dollars yearly as a contribution to youth and football development.
“Our intention is to use 100 Million Dollars as prize money every year in the ASL. The club that wins goes home with a whopping 11.5 Million Dollars” Motsepe said.
In its attempt to improve football in its entirety within the African region, CAF also announced that for a team to be eligible to take part in the ASL, participating clubs must have a women’s team as well as an academy.
Impact Of The ASL On CAFCL (Male & Female)
It is also understood the money set to be raised through the massive sponsorships expected from the African Super League, The Confederation Of African Football (CAF) Champions League in both the male and female categories will have their prize money increased massively.
CAF is determined to halt the continuous exodus of talented footballers from the African Continent on a yearly basis.
Participating Teams
Here are the 24 clubs that will participate in the Maiden edition of the CAF Super League:
1 Al Ahly ๐ช๐ฌ
2 Zamalek๐ช๐ฌ
3 Pyramid ๐ช๐ฌ
4 Al Masry๐ช๐ฌ
5 Wydad AC ๐ฒ๐ฆ
6 Raja Athletic ๐ฒ๐ฆ
7 RS Berkane ๐ฒ๐ฆ
8 Esperance ๐น๐ณ
9 Etoil Sportive Du Suhel ๐น๐ณ
10 Orlando Pirates ๐ฟ๐ฆ
11 Kaizer Chiefs ๐ฟ๐ฆ
12 Mamelodi Sundowns ๐ฟ๐ฆ
13 JS Kabyile๐ฉ๐ฟ
14 CR Belouzidad ๐ฉ๐ฟ
15 E.S Setif ๐ฉ๐ฟ
16 TP Mazembe ๐จ๐ฉ
17 Horoya AC ๐ฌ๐ณ
18 SC Enyimba๐ณ๐ฌ
19 Petro de Luanda ๐ฆ๐ด
20 Simba SC ๐น๐ฟ
21 Asante Kotoko๐ฌ๐ญ
22 Al Hilal ๐ธ๐ฉ
23 Asec Mimosas๐จ๐ฎ
24 Coton Sport๐จ๐ฒ
The competition is set to begin in August 2023. Twenty-four clubs from sixteen countries are set to take part in the One hundred and 197 matches that will be played.