The African Football League (AFL) will not take place in 2024, Confirming that Nigerian clubs like Enyimba and other top Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) teams will miss out on the competition’s $1 million prize this year.
CAF Competitions Officer, Samson Adamu, revealed that the AFL will return in 2025 with an expanded format featuring 24 teams, a significant increase from the eight teams that competed in the inaugural 2023 edition.
“The plans are fully in place for the AFL, but it is highly unlikely this year,” Adamu told SABC. “The plans will be revealed for next year, as to when it is going to happen and what are the plans for it.”
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Adamu emphasized that preparations are underway to make the next edition of the AFL bigger and better.
Coach Yemi Olanrewaju of Enyimba. Enyimba will have to wait until 2025 for the AFL
Initially announced in 2022 as the Africa Super League, the competition was designed to feature 24 teams divided into three regional groups with a promotion and relegation system.
However, the inaugural season was delayed to October 2023 and reduced to an eight-team knockout format.
The full version of the tournament is now expected to launch in the 2024-25 season.
Enyimba, Nigeria’s representative in the 2023 edition, was knocked out in the quarterfinals after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Wydad AC.
The cancellation of the 2024 edition means Enyimba and other NPFL clubs will miss out on valuable competition experience and the lucrative prize money.
Mamelodi Sundowns, the current holders of the AFL title, will retain their championship status until the competition resumes in 2025.
The AFL’s expanded format promises to bring more excitement and competition to African club football. Nigerian clubs will have to wait until 2025 to compete for the coveted title and $1 million prize.
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