African Football League Failure. A new era for African football, at least that’s what the photos suggested. The inaugural African Football League (AFL) created much curiosity on an October night in Dar es Salaam, with 60,000 Tanzanians attending the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to witness a local team, Simba SC, vs Al Ahly to a 2–2 draw. The symbolism was clear. Behind the celebration, though, the AFL’s debut exposed a project long on ambition but short on execution.

A bold vision for African football

The African Football League (AFL) was supposed to be FIFA’s and the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) answer to Europe’s championship club leagues. It would offer high-quality African football and better opportunities for revenue generation, with many clubs on international stages. However, the execution of the league got off to a rocky start, compounded by complex questions of intention, logistics, and execution.

Where it all began

The idea arose in November 2019 when FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo for their 80th anniversary and floated the idea of a league of 20 top clubs in Africa to generate a surplus of $200 million in annual revenue. Stating his position, with minimal opposition from former CAF president Ahmad Ahmad and further endorsement from current CAF president Patrice Motsepe, the details materialized quickly.

What was to be called the “African Super League” would involve 24 clubs in 16 nations with regional groups and a full season consisting of 200 total games. There would be a $100 million purse distributed, with the winner earning $11.6 million. These numbers suggested a major leap forward for African football.

African Football League Failure: Downsized and overcomplicated

By 2023, the plan had shifted. The AFL launched as an eight-team knockout tournament. The original members included Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, Esperance de Tunis, Wydad Casablanca, Mamelodi Sundowns, Simba SC, Petro de Luanda, and Enyimba. But the prize money dropped significantly: just $4 million for the winners.

Yet the inclusion of Mamelodi Sundowns was questionable. Mamelodi’s president is also Motsepe’s son, Tlhopie, so many pondered the nepotism and conflict of interest. In addition, with FIFA inclusive and league sponsors such as Visit Saudi and Visit Rwanda, the league felt more of a hierarchical globalized approach than a careful regional one.

Media struggles and sponsorship delays

The AFL’s broadcast plan unraveled before kickoff. A dispute with beIN Sports over unpaid fees and COVID-related rebates led to a fractured relationship. SuperSport, the biggest sports network in Sub-Saharan Africa, also declined to participate. As a result, matches were streamed free on YouTube. While that improved access for fans, it hurt the league’s financial prospects.

Sponsors were slow to commit. None were finalized until just before the tournament began. Even then, politics got in the way. TP Mazembe refused to wear “Visit Rwanda” branding due to tense relations between Rwanda and the DRC. The AFL’s commercial rollout felt improvised and incomplete.

What happens to the CAF Champions League?

Another key question surrounds the AFL’s relationship with the CAF Champions League. CAF insists the two can coexist. But Motsepe has hinted at upcoming changes, which has made clubs and fans uneasy.

The CAF Champions League remains Africa’s most inclusive competition. The latest edition featured 58 clubs from 46 countries. In contrast, the AFL feels exclusive. It favors a few well-connected clubs and offers little clarity on how it will benefit the broader football community.

CAF had promised $1 million to each of its 54 member associations for development. Those promises haven’t materialized in any clear way. With prize money reduced and little public financial disclosure, many associations are still waiting for proof that the AFL can bring real change.

Fan reactions across the continent

The AFL’s debut drew mixed reactions from fans. In East Africa, the turnout in Dar es Salaam was strong, with Tanzanian supporters thrilled to see Simba SC on a major stage. In North Africa, fans of Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca engaged heavily online, debating the AFL’s legitimacy and potential.

But in West and Central Africa, many fans were left feeling sidelined. Yet, with only eight clubs participating, it hardly represented the African feel of football. Thus, fans from Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon were disappointed that their national leagues still have not received the proper investment or attention they’d deserve.

Domestic leagues and club impact

There’s concern that the AFL might draw attention and resources away from domestic leagues. If the AFL grows while national competitions stagnate, smaller clubs could suffer. The CAF Champions League already struggles with scheduling and travel costs. Adding another high-profile tournament without solving existing logistical issues might stretch resources too thin.

Coaches and players also face dilemmas. Do clubs prioritize AFL matches with limited financial upside or focus on traditional competitions with deeper history and wider participation? Without clear incentives, many clubs might hesitate to fully commit.

What must change for AFL to survive?

Infantino has described the AFL as a game-changer. But its long-term success depends on more than bold language. To become sustainable, the AFL needs:

• Transparent governance: Decisions about club inclusion, prize distribution, and sponsorships need to be fair and public.
• Reliable media partners: Without stable TV deals, the league won’t generate the revenue it needs.
• Broader participation: Expanding to include more clubs across all regions will make the tournament more meaningful.
• Stronger ties to fans: Community support matters. The AFL must show real benefits to local clubs and fans, not just elites.

Can the AFL deliver on its promise?

For now, the AFL feels like a half-built project. It has potential, but not yet the credibility or structure to become Africa’s flagship competition. With so much talent on the continent, African football deserves a tournament that elevates everyone, not just a select few.

Whether the AFL becomes that platform will depend on CAF’s ability to learn from this first attempt, listen to stakeholders, and build a league rooted in transparency, inclusion, and trust.