What the Siya crew has been told…
Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain on the continent, and perhaps in a symbolical sort of way, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is hoping that launching the project at the foot of the tallest mountain is indicative of their confidence that it will grow to become the biggest project in the history of African football.
Siya sources have revealed that the Super League has selected clubs from the six regions in Africa while also using the CAF rankings as a guide to ensure the continent is fully represented.
Morocco, South Africa and Egypt will each have three teams in the African Super League (ASL) and sources have indicated that the architects of the project are working on a mechanism for promotion and relegation.
According to the information made available, Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca and RS Berkane will be the flag-bearers for Morocco, while Egypt will be represented by Al Ahly, Zamalek and Pyramids.
And as reported, Mzansi will be repressed by Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, if all goes according to plan.
Other clubs earmarked for inclusion are Esperance and Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), USM Alger and CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Primeiro de Agosto (Angola), Enyimba (Nigeria), ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Simba (Tanzania), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Horoya (Guinea) and Al Hilal (Sudan), who have all been positively identified for inclusion in the 24-team competition.
While the focus will be on the Super League, a fund is being created from which $1million (±R16.8 million) will be given to each of the 54 Federations, ostensibly for the development of youth football, coaches and referees as well as women football.
But the big paycheck will be for the winner of the competition.
The winner of the inaugural Super League is expected to cash in on $12.5 million (R204 million at today’s exchange rate), which is a significant jump from the $2.5 million (±R42 million) that the current CAF Champions League winners take home.
There is a suggestion that the 24team league could be broken into six groups of four teams each. The winners of each group and the two best runners-up would then qualify for the knockout stage, while another suggestion is to establish three groups of eight teams and the top eight across the three groups qualify for the knockout.