President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, commended the new football innovations by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to develop and improve the competitiveness of football in Africa and beyond.
Infantino said he was happy to have witnessed the historic event development on the foundation of the existing footballing framework.
The FIFA President, speaking on Thursday at the groundbreaking ceremony of the African Super League by CAF at Arusha in Tanzania, explained that since the Africa Super League is built within the pyramidal structure of international football, it will definitely transcend the success of club football in Africa beyond the continent.
“As FIFA President, I am happy to witness such a historic moment of this exciting football project to boost and improve club football in Africa,” Infantino expressed during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“African club football needs to be brought to the next level and to do that, it is important to be innovative and to have new ideas, while fully respecting the existing institutional framework.
“The Africa Super League, built within the international football pyramid structure, is a project which will make African club football shine in Africa and beyond,” the FIFA President assured.
Earlier in his remark, the President of CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe, during the launch of an innovation projected to change the face of African football, stated that the African Super League is one of the most historical feats achieved to grow football in all dimensions in the continent.
Motsepe noted that one of the benefits of the Africa Super League is that it would ensure African football is on the same pedestrian with UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and other Confederations’ tourneys.
“This is one of the most exciting projects in the history of African football and will significantly contribute to the development and growth of the quality and competitiveness of football in Africa,” CAF President said.
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“The Africa Super League would contribute to ensuring that football on the African Continent is managed and operated at the same professional, ethical and governance level as UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and other Confederations,” Motsepe clarified.
Moreover, CAF President added that the prize money in the tourney is $100m with the winner receiving $11.5m. He also said that $1m will be sent to each of the 54 Confederations to help develop football in their countries which amounted to $54m.
Motsepe continued: “CAF will also receive USD 50 million per annum to develop football for boys and girls, to employ world-class staff, to improve and to make all its other competitions attractive and appealing to football spectators, TV viewers, sponsors and other partners.
“The Africa Super League will support the growth of club football, the construction and maintenance of football infrastructure and facilities, as well as the training and the retention of football talent on the African Continent.
“Africa’s most valuable football club competition, the Africa Super League, will officially kick off in August 2023 and will involve 24 clubs from 16 countries across the Continent,” he stated.
Aside from the CAF and FIFA Presidents, representatives of leading African football clubs, African and European football legends, the President and Representatives of the CAF’s 54 Member Associations were also present to witness the historic game changer for African football.
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