Africa's football organising body CAF has issued a formal statement following recent reports regarding the African Football League.
In 2023, the African Football League was introduced, comprising eight top African clubs, namely Simba SC, Young Africans, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, Wydad Athletic Club, and Enyimba FC.
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Masandawana claimed the inaugural title, with the South African giants walking away with a handsome $4 million (R71 million) in prize money as a result.
Following the conclusion of its first campaign last November, CAF has so far been quiet about when the next edition is set to get underway or even whether or not the tournament will continue.
This week, however, reports began circulating about the second instalment of the competition, with rumours suggesting that it will begin as early as January 2025, and feature 24 participating teams.
This came after a document made the rounds online, alleged to have been sent by CAF to the Secretary General of the Congolese Football Federation, Innocent Kibundulu Kazadi, seemingly with the aim of confirming to him that TP Mazembe and AS Vita Club will be participating in the event, which would take place in January and February 2025, in South Africa.
CAF has since denied the authenticity of the letter via X, stating that it is completely fake.
CAF has noted a FAKE document circulating in the media in relation to the African Football League.
— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) August 28, 2024
CAF distances itself from this Fake document.
At an appropriate time, CAF will communicate on the AFL using CAF official platforms. pic.twitter.com/JR0WwSkcbk
Earlier this year, the chairperson of the African Club Association and president of Young Africans, Hersi Said, confirmed that no final decision had been made by CAF regarding future editions of the African Football League.
"So far, nothing has been concluded at the CAF level, as per my understanding, based on the few meetings that we had recently," Said explained in July, according to Hollywoodbets Sports Blog.
"So, there's not any strong position regarding the AFL, there's not any strong position regarding CAF Confederation [Cup].
"I think we all understand that there were rumours that the CAF Confederation [Cup] will be cancelled at the tournament and then have Champions League and AFL. But nothing has been informed specifically based on those, so I cannot be in a position to speak out on the same.
"So, I don't know about AFL, I don't know about CAF Champions League, or CAF Confederation [Cup], which one will be cancelled and you know, maintain the two.
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