The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has swiftly rubbished the talk the body is planning to scrap the Confederation Cup competition. According to social media posts and various reports from publications in the continent, CAF is said to be planning to scrap the Confed. Cup tournament.
Sport Plus has gathered that the Cairo-based football governing body, CAF wants to cancel the tournament which is seen as a second tier to the Champions League. The move will see the African Football League taking its place and being expanded.
As things stand, the AFL was played for eight clubs in its inaugural season last year when Mamelodi Sundowns lifted it, beating Wydad Casablanca of Morocco. The CAF Confederation Cup was established in 2004 from a merger of the CAF Cup and the African Cup Winners’ Cup.
CAF Rubbishes Talk to Scrap Confed. Cup
Amid reports suggesting the body led by Sundowns president, Patrice Motsepe, CAF plans to scrap the Confed. Cup – it seems the reports are untrue.
“The African Football League, which started with eight teams will now be expanded to include more teams. It will now be the major club competition on the continent,” reports the Daily Post.
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“The CAF Champions League will take the place of the CAF Confederation Cup as Africa’s second-tier club competition. The winner of the African Football League will now be representing the continent in the FIFA Club World Cup.”
CAF to Scrap Confed. Cup?
In the meantime, the CAF executive is reportedly set to hold a meeting on Friday and the decision to scrap the Confed. Cup is said to be part of the agenda. Looking at a social media post shared by African journalist, Micky Junior, he alleges that the continental football governing body’s members have rejected the idea to scrap the second-tier showpiece.
“Ahead of CAF’s Executive Committee meeting in Morocco tomorrow, some top leaders have 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 the idea of the Confederation Cup to be cancelled next season, I understand! They prefer the African Football League to be 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 rather and for CAF to rather focus on how to improve the Champions League,” reads the tweet from the journalist.
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CAF Reacts to Widespread Reports of Scrapping Confed. Cup
According to a South African football administrator now working with CAF, Luxolo September, questioned the rumours, saying there was no agreement to scrap the tournament.
“But why do we spread lies? There has been NO discussion on the future of the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC Confederation Cup. Therefore there is NO decision on the Confederation Cup. 1. EXCO? 2. General Assembly? 3. At a Bar?” he reacted.
“Fact is: The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup future has not been discussed by any decision-making body at CAF. So how can there be a decision when something has not been discussed? But facts are boring!”
Apart from all the speculation, the tournament is in the semi-final stages and four African football giants will lock horns in the first leg of the semi-finals on Sunday, 21 April. Zamalek (Egypt), Dreams FC (Ghana), USM Alger (Algeria), and RS Berkane (Morocco) are the remaining contenders vying for the prestigious TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title.
The first leg semi-finals promise to deliver thrilling encounters, with the return leg scheduled for 28 April 2024. Among these teams, three boast previous championship triumphs, totalling four titles. Reigning champions USM Alger will strive to defend their title against two-time winners RSB Berkane, the 2019/20 and 2021/22 champions.
Zamalek, crowned champions in 2018/19, will host Dreams FC in Cairo for the semi-final first leg of a season marking Dreams FC’s debut in any continental competition.
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