New African Football League to start in October

FIFA president Gianni Infantino Photo: ISSOUF SANOGO/ AFP

The kick-off of the new eight-team African Football League has been confirmed for Octcober 20 by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who made the announcement at the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) General Assembly in Abidjan on Thursday.

The competition has been drastically scaled down from the original proposal of 24 teams as CAF announced a $15.7 million loss for the 2022-23 financial year.

Not much more is known of the competition a little over three months before it is set to kick off, with CAF yet to formally confirm the participating teams.

It's understood the eight are set to be South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are owned by the family of CAF president Patrice Motsepe, Petro Atletico from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe, Al Ahly from Egypt, Horoya from Guinea, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, Tanzania’s Simba and Esperance of Tunisia.

The competition will run concurrently with CAF's Champions League for domestic league winners across the continent and is not a replacement.

Details around broadcasters, sponsors and logistics also remain under wraps for now.

More from Sports

  • Villa put on a thriller with late goals to draw 3-3 with Liverpool

    Substitute Jhon Duran scored two late goals as Aston Villa fought back to salvage a 3-3 home draw with Liverpool on Monday and take a significant step towards a place in the Champions League next season.

  • Arsenal go top as title race goes down to final day

    Arsenal's Leandro Trossard capitalised on dreadful defending to secure a 1-0 win against Manchester United that saw the Gunners climb back to the top of the Premier League, ensuring the title race will be decided on the final day.

  • Pogacar retains overall Giro D'Italia lead

    UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar has retained his overall lead after Dutchman Olav Kooij won stage nine of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday, pipping Jonathan Milan by half a wheel right at the finish line in a breathless sprint at the end of a 214-km ride from Avezzano to Naples.

  • McIlroy wins fourth Wells Fargo Championship title

    Rory McIIroy claimed his fourth Wells Fargo Championship after a superb back nine saw him finish -17 par having trailed by two shots after seven holes.

  • Djokovic suffers shock Italian Open defeat

    Alejandro Tabilo claimed the biggest win of his career beating world number one Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-3 in the third round of the Italian Open, two days after the Serbian was hit on the head by a water bottle.