While the composition of the proposed 24-team African Super League scheduled to kick off this year August is still open to speculations, one team appears assured of a place.
This is Al Ahly of Egypt. According to Aharam, an Egyptian newspaper, a delegation of FIFA and CAF visited the club headquarters on Thursday.
The delegation showed great interest in Ahly’s participation in the Super League. They said that Ahly’s popularity and historical achievements on both the continental and global levels will contribute significantly to the success of the competition.
President of CAF Patrice Motsepe said that the winning club will get $11.5 million. He added that the 24 teams partaking in the competition will receive $2.5 million each to help cover expenses.
CAF didn’t announce the names of the 24 African clubs which will take part in the first season. Nor did it give details of the exact format. CAF said there would be an announcement later.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had already given his backing to the project. During a lunch event following CAF general assembly, he was quoted as saying that this project “will make African club football shine.”