Between Botswana’s Eleven Angels and Egyptian super club, Al Ahly, which one features more prominently in Motsepe’s football agenda? In this context, Eleven Angels or Mutondo Stars from Zambia’s Super League, represent a group of poor clubs who are increasingly isolated under Motsepe’s two-year rule at CAF. At the extreme end, there is Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Esperance and a host of other super-rich clubs that seem to enjoy the president’s lap treatment. Motsepe came into office in March 2021, replacing Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad. Motsepe’s introduction of the Africa Football League (AFL) has not received overwhelming backing, with concerns from particularly lesser clubs. Despite criticism, the South African billionaire pressed ahead with a plan to have the eight-team competition this year. The eight elite teams were handpicked from only eight countries out of CAF’s 54 members.
The list includes established and well-resourced clubs, with the winner initially standing to pocket $11.6 million (P150 million), a whooping total compared to what other CAF competitions, including winning the Africa Cup of Nations trophy offer. While it was during Motsepe’s tenure that the AFL took off the ground, FIFA president, Gianni Infantino is credited as the brains behind the exclusive tournament. In 2019, Infantino encouraged CAF to establish a competition that will feature 20 top clubs within the continent. “We have to take the 20 best African clubs and put them in an African league. Such a league could make at least $200 million (about P26 billion) in revenue, which will put it in the top 10 in the world,” Infantino said then. Ahmad was the CAF president at the time the idea was mooted. However, the idea was not implemented until Motsepe came into office in 2021. After Mpote took over, a few months later plans for Africa’s Super League were approved by CAF’s executive committee. Last year, Motsepe indicated the tournament would include 24 teams from 16 countries, although the criteria was not outlined.
