African Football League set to return, but only with huge prize money packages - Motsepe

Mamelodi Sundowns were the inaugural champions of the AFL in 2023, but the tournament was put on pause after that. Initially planned for 24 teams, the AFL started with only eight elite teams, selected based on continental club rankings and regional representation. After a few challenges with sponsorships, Motsepe says the AFL is coming back.

"The African Football League will continue later during the year. I wasn't happy with some of the proposal for the financial participation which we were receiving because we knew that we should receive significantly more," said Motsepe

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"But a lot of the money that initially we were intending to go to African football from the African Football League, we're getting much more from the $1 Billion tender over the next eight years that we are busy with."

"An enormous amount of progress is taking place, but we are not going to conclude an agreement for the African Football League or any other competition with any partner without us being satisfied that we are getting compensated, we are getting resources, we are getting financing and funds that are what we deserve."

Meanwhile at the CAF EXCO Committee meeting in Cairo last weekend, there has also been talks about the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament from 24 to 28 teams.

Motsepe and his executive have also been accused of taking the CAF tournaments to Morocco, but he has reiterated that the North African country has actually bailed out CAF when no other country would take the chance to host them.