Why the African Super League matters and why Saudi Arabia wants in
A $100m prize fund has been promised for a new competition, but many challenges have still to be overcome
The scenes will never leave the memories of European football fans. Manchester United fans storming the pitch at Old Trafford, forcing the postponement of a Premier League fixture against Liverpool. Petr Cech wading through angry supporters outside Stamford Bridge. Then finally, the collapse of the entire European Super League project. All within 48 hours.
European football might have fended off the creation of a pan-continental mega-competition for the time being, but the sport in Africa is preparing for the launch of an equivalent - the African Super League.
Announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in October and originally slated to start in August 2023, the plan is to lift the standard of club football across the continent. That plan, however, is starting to fray. It could fall apart entirely.
