The future of the African Football League (AFL) is clouded in uncertainty, after Hersi Ally Said, chairperson of the African Club Association, disclosed that a final decision is yet to be made regarding CAF’s programs for the upcoming years.
Over recent months, there has been speculation that CAF might cancel the ongoing Confederations Cup to make room for an expanded AFL with 24 participating teams in the competition’s second edition.
The AFL’s inaugural edition included eight teams competing for the championship, with Mamelodi Sundowns emerging victorious over Wydad Casablanca in the final.
During the launch of the Toyota Cup, an event where Kaizer Chiefs are set to face Young Africans, Said mentioned his uncertainty about which tournament might be cancelled, leaving the future of both the Confederations Cup and the AFL hanging in the balance.
“So far nothing has been concluded at the CAF level, as per my understanding, based on the few meetings that we had recently,” Said explained.
“So, there’s no any strong position regarding the AFL, there’s no any strong position regarding CAF Confederation.
“I think we all understand that there were rumours that the CAF Confederation will be canceled at the tournament and then have Champions League in AFL. But nothing has been informed specifically based on those, so I cannot be in a position to speak out on the same.
“So, I don’t know about AFL, I don’t know about CAF Champions League, or CAF Confederation, which one will be canceled and you know, maintain the two.
The Young Africans president Said has also highlighted the cost that comes with these tournaments in terms of the clubs traveling across the continent and has insisted that teams should get something out of these competitions to sustain logistics costs and other conflicts.
“For me, I mean those tournaments are very key for us.
“I mean, most of the clubs in Africa, are also expecting to participate in continental tournaments.
“Regardless of the name, whether it’s this confederation or what, but the thing is, we should be looking into the very positive approach of this tournament in a factor of having the specific number of games in the continental level.
“But number two, the sponsorship as well, because these tournaments involve a lot of money.
“I mean, traveling across the continent is too expensive. Some of the areas, some of the countries, when you want to travel to those countries, you have to go to either the Middle East and come back to Africa.
“Or you go to Europe via Turkey, Turkish, Berlin and come back to Africa. So it’s very expensive.
“For me, the key is, yes, we want to participate in the tournament, but number two, it should be very clear that these clubs are also getting something out of the tournament so that they can be able to sustain the travels and other conflicts.”
Chairperson of African Club Association (ACA) Hersi Ally on the AFL. pic.twitter.com/wiJN6S0v6t
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) July 9, 2024
