Enyimba Reps Nigeria In 2023 CAF Super League
By Gbenga Gboyega
The reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier League – Enyimba International have secured a spot in the upcoming 2023 Africa Super League organized by the Confederation of African Football, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
Recall that the President of FIFA – Gianni Infantino, announced the plans for the Super League four years ago on the 28th of November 2019, before CAF established the competition two years later on the 17th of July, then launched its first edition in Tanzania on the 10th of August 2022.
According to Infantino, “the essence of holding the tournament is based on its huge financial returns, projected to exceed $100 million, beneficial to developing and improving infrastructure while promoting African football.”
The competition is reported to include twenty-four elite African clubs playing in leagues with a promotion/relegation system, that will feature in three groups of eight teams, with the top two teams making the Round of 16.
On the flip side, the CAF Super League project has been subject to criticism over the years, for unrealistic expectations based on financial returns, noting that the current CAF championships experience unfavorable infrastructure and high travel costs for both the fans and teams.
However, regardless of the opinions making the rounds, Enyimba and their counterparts will look forward to the 17th of August, 2023 which is the proposed starting date of the tournament, with participants expected to win approximately $2.5 million guaranteed.
The winner of the competition will go home about $11.5 million richer, while other financial remuneration will trickle down to the runner-up, semifinalists, and what a view.
POT 1:
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Wydad AC (Morocco)
Espérance Tunis (Tunisia)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
POT 2:
TP Mazembe (Congo)
Enyimba (Nigeria)
Simba (Tanzania)
Petro Atlético (Angola)
The competition will have 197 matches with a maximum of 21 matches played during the Knockout stages. The final will be played in a single match, and is designed to become “the Super Bowl of Africa”.