Nigerian football clubs have been excluded in the inaugural edition of the African Super League, which is scheduled to to kick off in August, according to sources in the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The idea of an African Super League was mooted last year by CAF President, Patrice Mostepe, with a total prize pool $100 million for a 24-team tournament.
While speaking at the unveiling of the African Super League, Motsepe had said it would breathe a new life into club competition in Africa.
“We have been inundated with investors and sponsors, who are anxious to partner with us on the CAF Super League. It has huge potential to significantly uplift African football and to make it even more powerful,” Motsepe had said.
“A significant amount of the money from the CAF Super League will be invested back into African football and part of the process involves giving $1 million every year to every one of CAF’s 54 member associations, as a contribution to football and youth development.
“We also want to look to increase the prize money for the men’s and women’s CAF Champions Leagues,” he added.
The clubs were supposed to receive $1 million as participation grant with big clubs in the continent, including two times CAF Champions League winner, Enyimba of Aba being the only Nigerian side listed to participate in the league.
However, insiders in the African football body have now revealed that only eight teams are expected to feature in the inaugural edition of the League.
The teams include Al Ahly of Egypt, Petro de Luanda, Angola, TP Mazembe, DR Congo, Horoya of Guinea, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco, Simba SC of Tanzania, Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
Other top African clubs that have been excluded from the League are Raja Athletic Club of Morocco, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia, ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire, and Zamalek of Egypt.