Uganda National Team player David Owori beaten to death in Kampala. Owori, 28, was a regular in the national team and captain of club side SC Villa.

 Uganda National Team player David Owori beaten to death | Wion Sports 

CAF confirmed at a meeting of their top officials in Abidjan on Thursday that the African Football League would kick off in October, but there is confusion over the starting date. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a guest speaker in the Ivory Coast commercial capital, said the eagerly awaited debut of the club competition would be on Friday, October 20. But the official CAF website said the eight-team first edition would kick off one day later, on Saturday, October 21.

The African Football League is the new name for what was launched last year in Tanzania as the CAF Africa Super League. CAF president Patrice Motsepe told South African public broadcaster SABC in June that the name change was necessary because some major sponsors had a problem with the original title.

"Some sponsors say the history of the Super League in Europe was not good and if you associate the name 'super' with a football competition, it has negative connotations," said Motsepe.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-west-ham-manager-david-moyes-unable-to-plan-anything-as-declan-rices-transfer-drags-on-615392">Football: West Ham manager David Moyes unable to 'plan anything' as Declan Rice's transfer drags on</a>

Speaking more recently to Qatar-based BeIN Sport, the CAF president said: "Our friends in Europe advised us not to use the expression 'super league'.

"(They based this advice on) negative associations with the recent failed attempt in European football."

A planned European Super League collapsed within 48 hours in 2021 after a backlash from fans, governments, and players, which forced nine of the 12 teams who signed up to pull out. The founding members were Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

<h2>Little known</h2>

Infantino has repeatedly stressed that the situation in Africa is different from Europe with the African League backed by FIFA and CAF. Three months before the competition begins, little is known about it beyond the name change, an October 20 or 21 kick-off and a field reduced from 24 clubs to eight that have not been named.

AFP understands the line-up will include 2023 CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt, runners-up Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, and semi-finalists Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Esperance of Tunisia. The other entrants could be recently crowned Nigerian champions Enyimba, 11-time CAF title winners TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Petro Luanda of Angola, and Simba of Tanzania.

"There will be eight great teams, which will be followed in the future with a bigger version. We have to invest in African club football as well as national team football," said Infantino. "It is our responsibility, duty, and task, and with the work and contributions of all of us as a team, we will succeed."

CAF have said that their main annual competitions before the African Football League launches -- the Champions League and Confederation Cup -- will continue. Delegates to the Abidjan meeting heard that CAF commercial revenue rose 17 percent to $125 million (€111 mn) in the past financial year thanks to media rights and sponsorship increases. The Cairo-based organization is hoping for a major revenue boost next year as their biggest money-spinner, the Africa Cup of Nations, will be staged in the Ivory Coast from January 13.

Defending champions Senegal are among 15 nations who have secured places and the other nine will be known in September when the final qualifiers are played.

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CAF confirmed at a meeting of their top officials in Abidjan on Thursday that the African Football League would kick off in October, but there is confusion over the starting date.

CAF confirmed at a meeting of their top officials in Abidjan on Thursday that the African Football League would kick off in October, but there is confusion over the starting date. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a guest speaker in the Ivory Coast commercial capital, said the eagerly awaited debut of the club competition would be on Friday, October 20. But the official CAF website said the eight-team first edition would kick off one day later, on Saturday, October 21. The African Football League is the new name for what was launched last year in Tanzania as the CAF Africa Super League. CAF president Patrice Motsepe told South African public broadcaster SABC in June that the name change was necessary because some major sponsors had a problem with the original title. "Some sponsors say the history of the Super League in Europe was not good and if you associate the name 'super' with a football competition, it has negative connotations," said Motsepe. Also Read: Football: West Ham manager David Moyes unable to 'plan anything' as Declan Rice's transfer drags on Speaking more recently to Qatar-based BeIN Sport, the CAF president said: "Our friends in Europe advised us not to use the expression 'super league'. "(They based this advice on) negative associations with the recent failed attempt in European football." A planned European Super League collapsed within 48 hours in 2021 after a backlash from fans, governments, and players, which forced nine of the 12 teams who signed up to pull out. The founding members were Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Little known Infantino has repeatedly stressed that the situation in Africa is different from Europe with the African League backed by FIFA and CAF. Three months before the competition begins, little is known about it beyond the name change, an October 20 or 21 kick-off and a field reduced from 24 clubs to eight that have not been named. AFP understands the line-up will include 2023 CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt, runners-up Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, and semi-finalists Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Esperance of Tunisia. The other entrants could be recently crowned Nigerian champions Enyimba, 11-time CAF title winners TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Petro Luanda of Angola, and Simba of Tanzania. "There will be eight great teams, which will be followed in the future with a bigger version. We have to invest in African club football as well as national team football," said Infantino. "It is our responsibility, duty, and task, and with the work and contributions of all of us as a team, we will succeed." CAF have said that their main annual competitions before the African Football League launches -- the Champions League and Confederation Cup -- will continue. Delegates to the Abidjan meeting heard that CAF commercial revenue rose 17 percent to $125 million (€111 mn) in the past financial year thanks to media rights and sponsorship increases. The Cairo-based organization is hoping for a major revenue boost next year as their biggest money-spinner, the Africa Cup of Nations, will be staged in the Ivory Coast from January 13. Defending champions Senegal are among 15 nations who have secured places and the other nine will be known in September when the final qualifiers are played. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: African Football League's top officials confused over start date

FIFA's plan to take over the running of African football is set to face a possible roadblock with an executive committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) saying he will challenge the decision in court.

Hasan Bility, who is from Liberia and a CAF executive committee member for last two years, said he will ask the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport to declare invalid the agreement by which FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura will be sent on a secondment to overhaul the African governing body.

Bility said he also wants to ask the court to compel CAF to start a forensic audit of its finances, which he said the executive committee had previously agreed to but CAF president Ahmad Ahmad then stalled.

CAF is in crisis following corruption allegations against Ahmad which he has denied.

Ahmad was reported in March to FIFA's ethics committee for alleged corruption and harassment by CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy. Fahmy was then fired.

He was detained in June by French police in Paris where he was questioned over a sportswear deal between CAF and a French company in which the African body is said to have paid exorbitant prices for equipment it could have got much cheaper directly from the manufacturers.

In a statement released to the media on Monday, former Liberian Football Association president Bility said Ahmad must resign and the proposed FIFA takeover be cancelled.

"In an attempt to salvage CAF from imminent implosion and irreversible reputational damage, FIFA proposed a poorly conceptualised and worse executed agreement," Bility said.

"Logically, and in a sane world, the acquiescence by the CAF leadership that they have been unable to manage their own affairs ought to have been followed by quick resignation of its top leaders.

"It is clear to me and many others that the agreement as currently structured has the sole purpose of shielding and cleansing CAF President Ahmad from the crimes he has committed – financial impropriety, sexual harassment and nepotism."

FIFA has confirmed there is an ethics investigation into Ahmad, although he was yet to be sanctioned.

Ahmad has not responded to Reuters' requests for comment on the specific allegations against him.

Bility also claimed FIFA President Gianni Infantino has seized on the opportunity to get rid of his secretary-general.

"Infantino has thus seized this opportunity to offer Fatma a 'golden parachute' into a confederation job to pave the way for her eventual replacement at the helm of FIFA," he said.

FIFA on Monday told Reuters it had no further comment to add to last week's release of an 11-point road map to help African football.

Infantino claimed last week that the unprecedented move to step in and administer African football would "significantly improve" the sport in the continent.

FIFA's plan to take over the running of African football is set to face a possible roadblock with an executive committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) saying he will challenge the decision in court.

FIFA's plan to take over the running of African football is set to face a possible roadblock with an executive committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) saying he will challenge the decision in court. Hasan Bility, who is from Liberia and a CAF executive committee member for last two years, said he will ask the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport to declare invalid the agreement by which FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura will be sent on a secondment to overhaul the African governing body. Bility said he also wants to ask the court to compel CAF to start a forensic audit of its finances, which he said the executive committee had previously agreed to but CAF president Ahmad Ahmad then stalled. CAF is in crisis following corruption allegations against Ahmad which he has denied. Ahmad was reported in March to FIFA's ethics committee for alleged corruption and harassment by CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy. Fahmy was then fired. He was detained in June by French police in Paris where he was questioned over a sportswear deal between CAF and a French company in which the African body is said to have paid exorbitant prices for equipment it could have got much cheaper directly from the manufacturers. In a statement released to the media on Monday, former Liberian Football Association president Bility said Ahmad must resign and the proposed FIFA takeover be cancelled. "In an attempt to salvage CAF from imminent implosion and irreversible reputational damage, FIFA proposed a poorly conceptualised and worse executed agreement," Bility said. "Logically, and in a sane world, the acquiescence by the CAF leadership that they have been unable to manage their own affairs ought to have been followed by quick resignation of its top leaders. "It is clear to me and many others that the agreement as currently structured has the sole purpose of shielding and cleansing CAF President Ahmad from the crimes he has committed – financial impropriety, sexual harassment and nepotism." FIFA has confirmed there is an ethics investigation into Ahmad, although he was yet to be sanctioned. Ahmad has not responded to Reuters' requests for comment on the specific allegations against him. Bility also claimed FIFA President Gianni Infantino has seized on the opportunity to get rid of his secretary-general. "Infantino has thus seized this opportunity to offer Fatma a 'golden parachute' into a confederation job to pave the way for her eventual replacement at the helm of FIFA," he said. FIFA on Monday told Reuters it had no further comment to add to last week's release of an 11-point road map to help African football. Infantino claimed last week that the unprecedented move to step in and administer African football would "significantly improve" the sport in the continent.

FIFA's African football takeover plan set for court challenge

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-expected-to-take-control-over-running-of-african-football-228960&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gYvK573jAhWp8HMBHQSSC5MQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1jkhv93IGBibCnfwjBMo7n">African football </a>with the regional body CAF will "significantly improve" the sport on the continent.

Infantino also brushed aside suggestions that there was widespread opposition to the move which followed corruption allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad.

FIFA is sending its Senegalese secretary general Fatma Samoura on a ninth-month secondment from August to overhaul CAF which has been plagued by chaos.

Infantino attended a CAF executive committee meeting on Wednesday where members were shown an 11-point plan.

Suggestions in the plan, seen by Reuters, included possible changes to the format of CAF competitions, a review of refereeing and a task force to improve stadium security.

Other points included a review of CAF's judicial bodies, full transparency of money flows and implementation of good governance principles.

"What counts is that we decide to cooperate, that the highest <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-to-stick-with-32-teams-for-2022-football-world-cup-in-qatar-220740&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gYvK573jAhWp8HMBHQSSC5MQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ruQeBI4jrkh5TQgkfUTNr">FIFA </a>administrator is coming to work with CAF...to improve African football significantly," Infantino told reporters.

"This is about democracy. We take on board all comments of everyone and together we try to do our best. The only thing I ask is to judge on us on the results and not on speculation,"&nbsp;Infantino said.

Ahmad was reported in March to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-fifa-boss-gianni-infantino-booed-at-womens-world-cup-final-ceremony-234012&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8gYvK573jAhWp8HMBHQSSC5MQFjAFegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3XmnBKM1xFFQ1vF1STH8Wg">FIFA’s </a>ethics committee by CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy, who was then fired.

Further allegations of fraud have recently been made against Ahmad, who was detained and questioned by French authorities in June as part of a corruption investigation.

Ahmad has denied wrongdoing in several media interviews but has not responded to repeated requests by Reuters for comment on the specific allegations against him.

FIFA has confirmed there is an ethics investigation into Ahmad, although he has not been suspended.

The second leg of the African Champions League final was abandoned in May in a row over the absence of the technology when it had been scheduled to be used.

When the referee disallowed an effort by Wydad Casablanca, they stormed off in protest that VAR had not been consulted, even though they had been told before the game that the system was not operational.

Their Tunisian opponents Esperance were initially declared champions but CAF then back-tracked and ordered a replay. Both clubs have since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), asking to be declared champions.

The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations was only awarded to Egypt in January after the original hosts Cameroon were stripped of the right to stage the tournament.

CAF vice-president Amaju Pinnick said it was wrong to say that FIFA were taking over.

"We want to change the narrative from takeover to partnership and collaboration," he said. "People just feel that they are taking over but it's not the case.

"Basically, it's to strengthen our judicial, our governance and our fiscal discipline.....its pure collaboration," said&nbsp;Pinnick.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer African football with the regional body CAF will "significantly improve" the sport on the continent.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer African football with the regional body CAF will "significantly improve" the sport on the continent. Infantino also brushed aside suggestions that there was widespread opposition to the move which followed corruption allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad. FIFA is sending its Senegalese secretary general Fatma Samoura on a ninth-month secondment from August to overhaul CAF which has been plagued by chaos. Infantino attended a CAF executive committee meeting on Wednesday where members were shown an 11-point plan. Suggestions in the plan, seen by Reuters, included possible changes to the format of CAF competitions, a review of refereeing and a task force to improve stadium security. Other points included a review of CAF's judicial bodies, full transparency of money flows and implementation of good governance principles. "What counts is that we decide to cooperate, that the highest FIFA administrator is coming to work with CAF...to improve African football significantly," Infantino told reporters. "This is about democracy. We take on board all comments of everyone and together we try to do our best. The only thing I ask is to judge on us on the results and not on speculation," Infantino said. Ahmad was reported in March to FIFA’s ethics committee by CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy, who was then fired. Further allegations of fraud have recently been made against Ahmad, who was detained and questioned by French authorities in June as part of a corruption investigation. Ahmad has denied wrongdoing in several media interviews but has not responded to repeated requests by Reuters for comment on the specific allegations against him. FIFA has confirmed there is an ethics investigation into Ahmad, although he has not been suspended. The second leg of the African Champions League final was abandoned in May in a row over the absence of the technology when it had been scheduled to be used. When the referee disallowed an effort by Wydad Casablanca, they stormed off in protest that VAR had not been consulted, even though they had been told before the game that the system was not operational. Their Tunisian opponents Esperance were initially declared champions but CAF then back-tracked and ordered a replay. Both clubs have since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), asking to be declared champions. The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations was only awarded to Egypt in January after the original hosts Cameroon were stripped of the right to stage the tournament. CAF vice-president Amaju Pinnick said it was wrong to say that FIFA were taking over. "We want to change the narrative from takeover to partnership and collaboration," he said. "People just feel that they are taking over but it's not the case. "Basically, it's to strengthen our judicial, our governance and our fiscal discipline.....its pure collaboration," said Pinnick.

Infantino says African football will 'significantly improve' with FIFA help

Football competitions under the purview of Confederation of African Football (CAF) will see an increased prize money.

The announcement comes months after French oil-gas company Total inked an eight-year sponsorship deal with CAF.

In July,&nbsp;Total announced it will support CAF&rsquo;s ten principal competitions, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The cash boost means that winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is held every two years, will now receive $4 million as against $1.5 million received by Ivory Coast, who won the continental competition in 2015.

CAF Champion League winners will also receive more prize money. They will now get $2.5 million, up from $1.5 million the previous champion received.

Prize money for the winners of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup will be nearly doubled from $660,000 to $1.25 million.

Both the Champions League and Confederation Cup group phases -- where &nbsp;prize money kicks in -- will expand next year from eight to 16 clubs.

Winners of the annual CAF Super Cup match between Champions League and Confederation Cup title-holders pocket $100,000, a 33.3 per cent rise.

The biennial African Nations Championship for home-based footballers is another competition to get a cash boost with first prize climbing by $500,000 to $1.25 million.

Travel costs are a huge challenge for African teams with flights from one country to another often involving lengthy stop-overs in the Middle East and Europe to trim expenses.&nbsp;

Clubs like Sundowns are better placed because the Pretoria-based outfit is owned by mining magnate Patrice Motsepe.

But in poorer African countries, teams rely on government financial assistance to play in CAF and FIFA competitions.

(AFP)

Confederation of African Football's announcement comes months after they signed an eight-year deal with oil-gas company Total

Football competitions under the purview of Confederation of African Football (CAF) will see an increased prize money. The announcement comes months after French oil-gas company Total inked an eight-year sponsorship deal with CAF. In July, Total announced it will support CAF’s ten principal competitions, starting with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The cash boost means that winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is held every two years, will now receive $4 million as against $1.5 million received by Ivory Coast, who won the continental competition in 2015. CAF Champion League winners will also receive more prize money. They will now get $2.5 million, up from $1.5 million the previous champion received. Prize money for the winners of the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup will be nearly doubled from $660,000 to $1.25 million. Both the Champions League and Confederation Cup group phases -- where prize money kicks in -- will expand next year from eight to 16 clubs. Winners of the annual CAF Super Cup match between Champions League and Confederation Cup title-holders pocket $100,000, a 33.3 per cent rise. The biennial African Nations Championship for home-based footballers is another competition to get a cash boost with first prize climbing by $500,000 to $1.25 million. Travel costs are a huge challenge for African teams with flights from one country to another often involving lengthy stop-overs in the Middle East and Europe to trim expenses. Clubs like Sundowns are better placed because the Pretoria-based outfit is owned by mining magnate Patrice Motsepe. But in poorer African countries, teams rely on government financial assistance to play in CAF and FIFA competitions. (AFP)

Prize money for African football competitions to increase: CAF