The inaugural edition of the African Football League (AFL) is set to commence on 20 October thru 11 November with the participation of the continent’s highest-ranked teams.
The AFL features the top eight African football clubs, with one team selected from each of the continent’s highest-ranked leagues.
– Initially announced as the Africa Super League by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in 2019, the tournament was officially launched by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in August 2022 and later renamed the AFL.
– Originally planned to include 24 clubs, the CAF decided to scale down the inaugural campaign to eight teams, with the 2024/2025 edition returning to the original format.
– The AFL will run alongside CAF’s other main club competitions, the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup, and will not replace them.
Format:
– The tournament will take place from 20 October to 11 November 2023.
– The eight teams will compete in a knockout format comprising quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final. Each tie will be played over two legs, home and away, with the away goal rule applied.
– In the event of a draw after the second leg, there will be no extra time in the quarterfinal or semifinal stages, and the match will go straight to penalties.
– VAR will be available for every match in the African Football League.
Prizes:
– All participating teams are guaranteed $1 million. Semi-finalists will receive $1.7 million, while the runners-up will be awarded $3 million. The winners will take home $4 million.
- Winner: $4 million
- Runner-up: $3 million
- Semi-finalists: $1.7 million
- Quarter-finalists: $1 million
Quarterfinal Fixtures:
Friday 20 October:
- 18:00 – Simba vs. Ahly
Saturday 21 October:
- 16:00 – TP Mazembe vs. Esperance
- 18:30 – Petro Atletico vs. Mamelodi Sundowns
Sunday 22 October:
- 21:00 – Enyimba vs. Wydad Casablanca
Tuesday 24 October:
- 17:00 – Ahly vs. Simba
- 20:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Petro Atletico
Wednesday 25 October:
- 18:00 – Esperance vs. TP Mazembe
- 21:00 – Wydad Casablanca vs. Enyimba
-Ahram