Motsepe calls for Super League to break African football’s financial poverty
October 22 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has again called for the launch of an African Super League on the continent.
Africa
Infantino backs controversial Lekjaa as he expands career into Moroccan politics
October 21 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has shielded Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president and FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa over his new role in the Moroccan government, claiming that FIFA is politically neutral.
CAF tender media rights to AFCON 2022 in Cameroon
October 14 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched the media rights tender in Sub-Saharan Africa for its flagship men’s national team tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Cameroon next year.
South African fans incentivised to get Covid jab with free entry for vaccinated
October 5 – Days after withdrawing from any attempts to host the Club World Cup this December, the South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed football fans will soon be returning to stadiums in South Africa, if they are fully vaccinated.
FIFA fan Jordaan says World Cup has not benefitted Africa, but a biennial event would
October 4 – Following the lead of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the South African Football Association (SAFA) has endorsed the proposal for a biennial World Cup, with the governing body’s strongman Danny Jordaan arguing that the tournament in its current form “has not brought progress in African football over the last 100 years”.
No win for Victory TV as UEFA and EPL win anti-piracy case in Rwandan court
September 27 – The battle against piracy saw a significant win for rights holders and owners at the end of last week when a Rwandan court in Kigali ruled against an appeal that would have seen UEFA and English Premier League continue to be broadcast without rights fee in the country.
FIFA turn to IMG to sell rights to CAF World Cup qualifiers
September 27 – IMG has picked up the worldwide media rights for African 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Samoura leads debate in Nigeria on expansion of Africa’s women’s game
September 23 – While FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been walking the halls of the UN and the financial district of New York, meeting with heads of state and financiers, FIFA’s general secretary Fatma Samoura has been treading the path of women’s football in Africa.
Eto’o brands Cameroonian FA boss Ngoya ‘a failure’ as he enters election race
September 22 – Samuel Eto’o has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), labelling the tenure of the governing body’s current interim president Seidou Mbombo Njoya “a failure”.
CAF joins ICSS-led training initiative to boost Africa’s stadium security
September 16 – One of African football’s biggest problems across the continent is the condition and safety of stadiums. The African confederation highlighted the issues this year, even banning some from use. A UN-certified Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme for professionals in Africa football has been launched as a step towards finding solutions.
Egypt turn to Queiroz to galvanise World Cup qualifying campaign
September 9 – Egypt have hired Carlos Queiroz as their new manager to steer the Pharaohs to the World Cup in Qatar. The Portuguese will succeed Hossam El Badry.
Morocco flee Guinea as country’s security deteriorates
September 6 – Morocco had to flee Guinea on Sunday ahead of their World Cup qualifier against the ‘Syli Nationale’ because of a coup d’etat.
CAF adds Integral to TV rights partners with Nigerian deal
September 1 – The African confederation is gradually filling in its broadcast blanks with new partners. The latest being with sports marketing agency Integral in Nigeria.
CAF draw AFCON 2021 final groups, Motsepe chips in with promise of more prize money
By Samindra Kunti
August 18 – Hosts Cameroon will kick off the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso next year with Egypt – Nigeria and Algeria – Ivory Coast among the pick of the group stage matches following the finals draw in Yaounde.
CAF looks to public service TV in Africa to deliver on AFCON 2021 in challenged rights market
By Paul Nicholson
August 17 – After promises of new television deals across the African continent following the disastrous fallout from the Lagardere representation agreement that saw a $1 billion commercial guarantee replaced by blank TV screens and rapidly retreating sponsors, CAF has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 will be broadcast by the members of the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB).