In a thrilling draw held in Cairo, Enyimba, Nigeria’s renowned football club, found themselves facing the formidable Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the inaugural African Football League (AFL).
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This much-anticipated tournament aims to showcase the best of African club football and provide fans across the continent and around the world with an exciting spectacle of the beautiful game.
The competition structure for the inaugural AFL is designed around a home-and-away format, comprising knockout quarter-finals, followed by semi-finals and a grand final, all played over two legs.
Enyimba, fresh from their CAF Champions League journey, will now gear up for the AFL set to commence later in October.
The team, under the guidance of coach Finidi George, will first host Wydad Casablanca at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. They will then embark on a crucial return leg in Casablanca. This fixture is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tournament.
Among the other pairings, Esperance will take on TP Mazembe, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Petro Atletico, and Simba will clash with Al Ahly.
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The AFL’s inaugural edition is scheduled to span four weeks, beginning with the Opening Ceremony and the first match on October 20, 2023, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Simba will square off against Al Ahly.
The semi-finals will follow from October 29 to November 1, while the final matches, which will determine the competition’s first-ever champion, will occur on November 5 and 11, 2023.
Contrary to previous reports, the monetary rewards for the competition have been clarified. The champion will receive a substantial $2.5 million, with the runner-up claiming $2 million. Each participating club will earn $700,000 for their role in the AFL.
The inaugural AFL is a precursor to the fully-fledged AFL competition, scheduled to commence during the 2024/2025 football season. This future competition will feature the top 24 football clubs on the African continent, further elevating the standard of African club football.
With FIFA’s support, the winners of this prestigious championship are poised to secure a prize of $2.5 million, while each participating team will receive $700,000, signaling a significant boost for African club football.
