December 22 – African football boss Patrice Motsepe has once again failed to provide a credible update on his confederation’s plans to launch a Super League in 2023, this time suggesting too many clubs have expressed an interest in the competition.
“There have been extensive discussions on the Super League with various constituencies and some prefer to be confidential,” said Motsepe (pictured) at a news conference in South Africa.
“The problem we have is that there are just too many clubs that are anxious, all over the continent that want to participate. Day one that you participate in the Super League you get $2 million, just by being a member of the Super League. The $2 million is to allow you to buy players as well hopefully because you want it to be the best of the best but also to help with transport. New airlines will make is significantly easier and better to travel on the continent.”
In August, Motsepe and CAF had revealed that the 24 Super League clubs would receive $2.5 million each for their participation. There have also been reports that the format for the maiden edition could be reduced to eight teams.
“There will be promotion and relegation over time because it is not closed,” said Motsepe. “But very good progress and discussions are taking place.”
Apart from the endless shapeshifting over the format and structure of the Super League, Motsepe has constantly failed to back his claims of progress with concrete announcements, in particular with regards to funding and commercial partners the elephants in the room.
CAF’s finances remain precarious. In recent years, CAF’s finances have nosedived spectacularly. For the fiscal year 2020-2021, CAF accounts showed a loss of $45 million. The organisation has also been burning through its cash reserves, which stood at $68 million at the end of the 2020/2021, down from $108 million at the end of the 2019/2020 fiscal year.
The recent $50 million settlement with former commercial partner Lagardere has blown a new hole in CAF’s books, but Morocco’s success at the World Cup in Qatar, claiming a historic fourth place and best-ever finish for an African country, has allowed Motsepe to paint the future of African football as being rosy. The South African predicted that an African team will feature in the World Cup final in 2026.
“I’m confident that in the next World Cup, an African nation will go further,” said Motsepe. “The historic achievements of Morocco have made all of us in Africa uniquely proud. The future of African football is incredibly bright.
“If you look at the talent on the continent, there are 10-15 nations in Africa now that can compete at the highest level in the world and win.”
During a 90-minute press conference Motsepe, however, hardly seemed to know who Walid Regragui was. Motsepe has often failed to identify famous figures in football, but his most baffling remark arrived when he finally – on the record – revealed why he had become CAF boss in the first place.
He said: “I have got a company. I sell certain goods and services. I want to be associated to football because football will give me greater exposure to my clients, to my customers.”
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