No Zim clubs in African Super League

There will be no Zimbabwean teams in the inaugural CAF African Super League (ASL) which is
expected to start in October this year.
There were rumours that the country’s two traditional giants Highlanders and Dynamos will take
part in the new competition.
However, according to latest suggestions, only South African side Mamelodi Sundowns and Angolan
team Petro de Luanda will represent the COSAFA region in the eight-team Super League when it
starts this year.
Egyptian side Al Ahly, Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, Esperance from Tunisia, TP Mazembe
(DRC), AC Horoya (Guinea) and Simba Sports Club from Tanzania complete the list.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed to the SABC Sport that the African Super League will start
in October, probably with a different name.
“It’s very important, in October this year the inaugural African Super League will commence. We
know the dates but some of the big sponsors are saying the history of the Super League in Europe
was not good and if you associate the name ‘super’ to a football competition, it has negative
connotations,” he said.
“We’ve proceeded thus far and of course, we may change the name but what is indeed gonna
happen is in October this year, the inaugural African Super League and I’m gonna keep using the
name until such time when we’ve changed it, is gonna kick off.”
The CAF boss added: “At the heart of that, it’s to make sure that there’s more financial resources,
more investment in football pitches, more investments in academies, more investment in the youth,
more investment in football for boys and girls and also more money for the players.
“Football has a short life and I’ve said this for the last 20 years. Every player for as long as they play
football must make as much money as possible.”
Here is something you should know about the new tournament.
Prize Money
The prize money will rack up to $100m, with the winners earning up to $11.6m, while other
participants of the inaugural tournament will receive a significant share.
All 54 member associations will get $1m cash per annum for youth and women’s football
development.
CAF, however, are yet to disclose the sponsors for the tournament.
Tournament Format
The Super League will have 24 teams from 16 countries. The selected sides will be divided into three
regional groups of three namely north, west-centre and south-east.

Each team will play the other seven at home and away, and the format will see 197 matches played
from August to May.
Promotion-relegation playoffs from the end of the first edition will determine the make-up of teams
in the next edition.
Online/Sports Reporter